Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Derrick Samuel Alston (born August 20, 1972) is an American former basketball player currently working as an assistant coach for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA Development League.
Early life
Born in The Bronx, New York, Alston played basketball at Hoboken High School in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Professional career
Alston, a power forward/center from Duquesne University, started off his professional career when he was selected 33rd overall in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers for whom he played two seasons. He then played 2 games for the Atlanta Hawks in late 1996 before taking his game overseas.
Joining the New Zealand Breakers mid-season 2007-08, Alston made an immediate impact. Statwise, he reached the top 20 in the league for FG%, shooting at 56.0%, and offensive rebounds, while averaging 13.8 ppg and being instrumental in helping the Breakers reach the playoffs for the first time in club history.
Coaching career
After retiring, in 2012, Alston joined the staff of the Houston Rockets and served as their Player Development Coach for two seasons 2012-2015. On October 27, 2015 he was hired by the Westchester Knicks to be an assistant coach.
In August 2014, Alston traveled to the Philippines as a SportsUnited Sports Envoy for the U.S. Department of State. In this function, he worked with Alison Feaster and Erik Spoelstra to conduct basketball clinics and events for more than 375 youth from underserved areas. In so doing, Alston helped contribute to SportsUnited's mission to advance the status of women and girls around the world and to show support to an important regional partner.