Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Miami Heat guard Rafer Alston (11) passes the ball against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. The Heat won 112-88. LSU Tigers head coach Will Wade points to his players to throw the ball in. The Florida State Seminoles lead the LSU Tigers 38-31 at the half of an exhibition game held in the Tucker Civic Center on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
Former NBA veteran and AND1 Mixtape star Rafer Alston isn’t a fan of LSU Tigers coach Will Wade. But that didn’t stop Alston’s son, five-star point guard Reese Alston, from committing to Wade and the Tigers on Thursday.
Rafer, who played over a decade in the NBA after rising to fame on the streetball circuit, was extremely critical of Wade throughout the recruiting process, including just days before Reese made his announcement.
“I’m disgusted by how this whole process has played out,” Rafer told Z Smart Hoops. “Will Wade has operated in a disgusting manner. He is a sleazeball of an individual. I know there was a back alley deal involving PUMA, in which money was accepted without my authorization.”
Reese Alston Ignored His Dad’s Advice When Committing To Will Wade And LSU
Rafer Alston suggested that Reese’s mother, Ashley, had negotiated an NIL deal behind his back and that he would seek legal action against Wade and the Tigers.
But Reese told a different story when announcing his commitment on CBS Sports HQ.
“I prayed before every visit that God would talk to me. I prayed before every visit that God would speak to me on those visits. I felt like when I got there, He was speaking to me,” he said. . “I felt at home. I felt like I knew the place. I knew where to go, from dinner to the practice facility—little indicators like that. And just the trust I have with Coach Wade.
“I’m not even his player yet. We’ve only known each other for a couple months. But we’ve been through so much already. He stuck by my side. With everything we’ve been through together already, I know a couple losses and a couple turnovers won’t ruin our relationship.”
Wade is already one of the most controversial figures in college basketball. And this incident with the Alston family won’t do anything to help that reputation.