Getting to know…Alex Raiford
Legal Name: Alexander L Raiford
Preferred pronouns: He/Him
Date of Birth: 2/20/2001
Birth Location: Chicago, Illinois

Social Media
Instagram: alextheballer

Sports Information
Sports played in high school: Basketball
What is your favorite sports memory? Going down state in high school and placing third in the 3pt contest for class 3a and 4a 
Who has been most influential in your athletic career? My trainer Max Jackson

Academics
Academic Honors previously earned: 4.0 GPA for the 2023-2024 school year 
Chicago State Declared Academic Major: Sociology

Family
Son of Gina and Andre Raiford
Brothers and/or sisters: Andre Raiford Jr.

Fun 
What is ONE thing most people don't know about you? Adele and Ed Sheeran are two of my favorite singers 
What is your dream job? Professional Basketball Player
Why did you choose Chicago State? I chose Chicago State because it allowed me to be close to home while fulfilling my dream of being a Division 1 basketball player 
Do you have a sports hero? Derrick Rose. He meant so much to us kids growing up on the south side. He has overcome so much adversity throughout his entire career and has been able to come out stronger. He was and still is a hero to me.
What is your favorite hobby outside of sports? Reading and being active in my community 
What is something you can brag about yourself besides your athletic accomplishments? I’ve held a 4.0 GPA since I’ve been at Chicago State and I was blessed to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum this past summer at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis.
Who is your favorite professional athlete or team? Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose. Chicago Bulls are my favorite sports team
How would you describe yourself when you're competing? I’m competitive and relentless
What is your favorite food? Chicken from Harold’s
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Six-piece with Mild Sauce and Lemon Pepper from Harold’s
What or who motivates you to work hard? My family motivates me to work hard, my father in particular. The kids from my community motivate me as well because they look at me as a role model and I would never let them down. Lastly being from the South Side of Chicago Motivates me. There’s a negative stigma attached to the south side and I want to show that it’s more to the south side than the violence. 
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? My father’s advice about integrity, he told me that I have to be the same person all the time, even when I think no one’s looking 
Name three famous people you want to have over for dinner: Michael Jackson, Derrick Rose and Michael Jordan 
Can you sing? Like, really sing? No
Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years? Doing something successful and being able to help my community
How many languages do you speak? English