Ex-Nets player sued over strip joint brawl claims

Troubled ex-New Jersey Nets player Rafer Alston fouled out at a strip joint -- bashing another man on the head with a beer bottle during a booze-fueled brawl, a new lawsuit charged, the New York Post reported Wednesday. The former NBA athlete, 35, who is originally from Jamaica, Queens, attacked fellow Perfection Gentleman's Club patron Erick Franceschini, 32, of Milford, Conn., during a knock-down-drag-out free-for-all in July 2010, according to papers recently filed in New York's Queens Supreme Court. Alston smashed Franceschini with the bottle during a dispute that began in the Woodside, Queens, club and spilled out on the street, Franceschini's lawyer, John Rapawy, claimed. Alston was not involved in the fight in the bar, Rapawy said, but the lawyer claimed the ex-hoopster attacked Franceschini in the street. Alston -- known in his playing days as "Skip to My Lou" because he was fast and light on his feet -- "unjustifiably assaulted and [beat]" Franceschini, Rapawy told the Post on Tuesday. "My client had 12 staples in his head. He suffered a concussion." Rapawy said he and his client filed a police report, although Alston was not arrested. Police sources confirmed an assault complaint was filed against Alston, but said it was sealed and they could not give out any more information. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from the millionaire Alston, who now lives in Boca Raton, Fla., as well as the strip club. Alston was unable to be reached for comment. Read more . . .