Reese Alston to Announce College Decision Thursday

Reese Alston, the No. 9 overall prospect in the national 2027 basketball class and a five-star point guard from Houston Second Baptist, will announce his college decision live on Thursday at 4 PM EST, 247sports.com reported. Alston is set to choose between finalists Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Tennessee, and Wichita State during a broadcast with 247Sports and CBS Sports on CBS Sports HQ and the CBS Sports College Basketball YouTube channel.

Alston Evaluates Five Finalists Before Thursday Announcement

The 6-foot-2 point guard narrows his recruitment after a multi-year evaluation of top collegiate programs. Alston evaluates five distinct finalists as Thursday’s 3 PM CT announcement approaches. Brandon Jenkins reported the announcement details for 247sports.com. Alston describes a steady connection with the Louisville coaching staff built over several seasons.

“I like my relationship with the program. I have been talking to them the last couple of years. My relationship keeps building. They want me to take care of the team,” Alston told 247’s Brandon Jenkins. “It is nothing different from what the other coaches are telling me.”

Alston’s recruitment draws interest from competing programs. Will Wade and the LSU coaching staff made a strong push for the guard, hosting him for a visit in September alongside trips to Kentucky and Tennessee. Meanwhile, Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey and his staff position themselves to land another cornerstone piece following a commitment from local top-60 power forward Ferlandes Wright.

Louisville Maintains Early Contact with Rafer Alston's Son

Louisville positioned itself early in Alston’s recruitment by maintaining consistent contact over multiple seasons. The Cardinals staff visited with Alston in September, building on an official visit the five-star prospect took for last December’s home game against Memphis. Cardinal Authority noted that Louisville coaches value Alston’s leadership approach on the floor, while encouraging him to expand his vocal presence as he matures.

Alston brings an elite pedigree to his recruitment as the son of Rafer Alston, the streetball legend known as “Skip to My Lou” who played in the NBA from 1999 to 2010. The elder Alston coached Reese with Cooz Elite on the Puma Circuit during the summer circuit. The younger Alston enters his announcement ranked as the fourth-best point guard in the 2027 national class.

Unresolved Commitments in the 2027 Class

Thursday's announcement arrives during a decisive week for high-profile national recruits. Five-star forward DeMarcus Henry announced his top-four college programs earlier in the week, including Kelsey’s Cardinals, ahead of his own decision scheduled for Friday. As Alston prepares to reveal his choice live on CBS Sports platforms, the remaining finalists await a commitment that shapes the trajectory of their respective 2027 recruiting classes.