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The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent guard Rafer Alston. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are thrilled to have Skip back in a Heat uniform, as he brings another set of skills and experience to the point guard position,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “From his time in Miami, we know both his game and him as a person, and we had a great experience with him in the past. We are very happy to have Skip back in the Heat family.”
Alston, who was placed on waivers by the New Jersey Nets on January 5, has appeared in 27 games (13 starts) this season for the Nets. He has averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.00 steals in 28.4 minutes per game.
Currently playing in his 11th NBA season, Alston was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 39th selection in the 1998 NBA Draft. He has played for six different NBA teams in his career, averaging 10.3 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.22 steals in 646 games (427 starts). As a member of the Orlando Magic last season, he was the team’s starting point guard during their playoff run, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.43 steals while leading them to the NBA Finals.
He spent the 2003-04 season with the Heat, after signing as a free agent on September 4, 2003. Alston appeared in all 82 games (28 starts) for the Heat in 2003-04, averaging 10.2 points, 4.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.39 steals in 31.5 minutes per game. He helped guide the Heat to their first playoff appearance after a two-year absence and still holds the franchise record for most consecutive games with a three-point field goal made with 48.
Prior to joining the NBA, he earned the nickname “Skip to my Lou” playing in the Rucker Park tournament on the And-1 Mix Tape Tour.
The Heat roster now stands at 14. Alston will once again wear number 11.
The Heat did need an upgrade at the PG spot. Mario Chalmers averages 8.5 ppg this season. Carlos Arroyo is at 4.8. Alston should help.