Rafer Alston, also known as "Skip to my Lou," had a successful basketball career that spanned over a decade. He began his career playing college basketball at three different schools before being drafted in the second round of the 1998 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he did not make his NBA debut until the 1999-2000 season with the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Alston's career really took off when he joined the streetball team AND1 Mixtape Tour in 1999. He quickly became a fan favorite with his flashy ball-handling skills and ability to make defenders look foolish. This led to him being signed by the NBA's Miami Heat in 2003.
During his time in the NBA, Alston played for several teams including the Heat, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and New Jersey Nets. He was known for his quickness, ball-handling skills, and ability to hit clutch shots. He was also a solid defender and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2005.
One of Alston's most memorable moments came during the 2009 playoffs when he hit a game-winning three-pointer for the Magic in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also helped lead the Magic to the NBA Finals that year, where they ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Alston retired from the NBA in 2011 and went on to play in various international leagues, including stints in China and the Philippines. He also became a coach, serving as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets and head coach for the Tri-State of the BIG3 basketball league.
Overall, Rafer Alston had a successful basketball career that was highlighted by his flashy ball-handling skills and ability to hit clutch shots. He was a solid defender and played for several NBA teams before retiring and becoming a coach.
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