The Oklahoma City Thunder have been making waves this season with big moves like trading for Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, while also signing rookies Dillon Jones and Nikola Topic. Now, they’ve added yet another piece to the puzzle with the signing of Alex Reese. What makes the 25-year-old’s story so compelling is his journey. Last season, he hooped for Portland’s G League squad and laced up for the Blazers in the NBA Summer League.

But what’s even crazier is that after his senior year, Reese almost walked away from basketball entirely, saying he was mentally done with the game. He even took on two other jobs before finding his way back to the court. Let’s dive into his career and explore the ups and downs that brought him to this point, where he’s now got a shot with the Thunder.

Alex Reese’s Journey from NBA to bartending and back

Born in Alabama, Alex Reese was drawn to basketball from a young age, and it quickly became clear he had something special. His talent and skills shone through early, especially during his high school years, where he made a name for himself. Reese stacked accolades, averaging over 25 points and 10 boards in his junior year, showing everyone he was a problem on the court. Even his sophomore year was strong, showing his consistency and potential. Riding high on his high school success, Reese earned a spot at the University of Alabama, ready to take his game to the next level.

With his standout high school performance, everyone had high hopes for Alex Reese. But college didn’t unfold the way anyone expected. He wasn’t the same dominant player he had been in high school. Whether it was the tougher competition or a lack of mental and physical preparation, something wasn’t clicking. Although Reese showed flashes of progress during his college years, his senior season was a tough setback—he averaged just 5 points and 3 rebounds. The weight of it all mentally drained him, leading him to step away from the game entirely. Reese even took up bartending and moving furniture, feeling like he was done with basketball for good.

But it seems like fate had basketball written in the stars for Alex Reese. After stepping away, Alex Reese made a big-time comeback in 2024, suiting up for the Portland Blazers’ G-League squad during the 2023-24 season. This time, he leveled up and caught people’s attention with his game, proving he still had the skills. His solid run in the NBA Summer League, where he dropped over 7 points in 5 games, got the Oklahoma City Thunder looking his way. They must’ve seen something in him that fits their squad’s vibe, and who knows—maybe we’ll be seeing a lot more of him on the court soon. Also, he ran into some trouble with the law during his college years.

Alex Reese faced arrest for public intoxication

In March 2020, Alex Reese faced a difficult moment when he was arrested for public intoxication at just 20 years old. According to the Tuscaloosa police, Reese was spotted around 3:30 a.m. walking along Lurleen Wallace Blvd. and Stillman Blvd. Officers observed that he was under the influence of alcohol and, concerned for his safety, determined he was a danger to himself. He was taken into custody and placed in the Tuscaloosa County jail with a $300 bond.

After his arrest, Alex Reese was deeply remorseful and took responsibility for his actions. He publicly expressed his regret, even putting out a heartfelt tweet apologizing for his behavior that night. The tweet read, “As you all know, early this morning I was arrested. I sincerely apologize to my family, my teammates and coaches, and to the University of Alabama for misrepresenting what this school and athletic program stand for. What happened is not indicative of how my parents raised me. Moving forward, I will be using this poor decision of mine as one to learn and grow from.”

Now, Reese seems to have put all of that behind him, ready to start fresh with his NBA journey alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder. What are your thoughts on him?