Mika Vukona
July 23, 2020
Derrick Alston
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 20/08/72
- Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 207
- Weight (KG): 102
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Duquesne (1990–1994)
- NBL DEBUT: 16/12/07
- AGE AT DEBUT: 35
- LAST NBL GAME: 23/02/08
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 35
- NBL History: New Zealand 2008
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Born in The Bronx, New York, Alston played basketball at Hoboken High School in Hoboken, New Jersey.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Derrick Alston made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 35 years of age. He scored four points in his first game.
In 2007/08, Alston averaged 14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists as the Breakers finished in seventh place (16-14).
Derrick Alston played one season in the NBL. He averaged 14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 16 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 35 | New Zealand | 16-14 (7) | 16 | 471 | 234 | 117 | 29 | 48 | 69 | 16 | 23 | 33 | 57 | 96 | 175 | 55% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 42 | 71 | 59% | 57% | 55% | 23 | Totals | 16 | 471 | 234 | 117 | 29 | 48 | 69 | 16 | 23 | 33 | 57 | 96 | 175 | 54.9% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 42 | 71 | 59.2% | 57% | 55% | 23 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 35 | New Zealand | 16-14 (7) | 16 | 29.4 | 14.6 | 7.3 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 6.0 | 10.9 | 55% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 2.6 | 4.4 | 59% | 57% | 55% | 23 | Total | 16 | 29.4 | 14.6 | 7.3 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 6.0 | 10.9 | 54.9% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0% | 2.6 | 4.4 | 59.2% | 57% | 55% | 23 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 23 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Derrick Alston was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with pick #33 in the 1994 NBA Draft.
Alston played for the Philadelphia 76ers for played two seasons.
Alston played 2 games for the Atlanta Hawks in late 1996 before taking his game overseas.
Alston played 237 games in the NBA. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 29, 1994: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2nd round (33rd pick) of the 1994 NBA Draft.
- October 6, 1994: Signed a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- July 1, 1995: Became a free agent after his Philadelphia 76ers contract.
- September 20, 1995: Signed another contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- July 1, 1996: Became a free agent following his Philadelphia 76ers contract.
- July 31, 1996: Released by the Philadelphia 76ers.
- October 2, 1996: Signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics.
- October 9, 1996: Waived by the Seattle SuperSonics.
- October 11, 1996: Became a free agent after being waived by the Seattle SuperSonics.
- November 13, 1996: Signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks.
- November 26, 1996: Waived by the Atlanta Hawks.
- December 3, 1996: Became a free agent after the Atlanta Hawks waiver.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 82% | 74% | 81% | 97% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 23 | 6 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
| Total | 96 | 175 | 54.9% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 24 | Atlanta | C | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% | 0% | |||
| 1995-96 | 23 | Philadelphia | C | 73 | 41 | 1614 | 452 | 302 | 61 | 127 | 175 | 56 | 52 | 59 | 191 | 198 | 387 | 1 | 3 | 55 | 112 | 52% | 51% | |||
| 1994-95 | 22 | Philadelphia | C | 64 | 1 | 1032 | 299 | 219 | 33 | 98 | 121 | 39 | 35 | 53 | 107 | 120 | 258 | 0 | 4 | 59 | 120 | 48% | 47% | |||
| 1989-90 | 26 | Minnesota | SF | 11 | 0 | 91 | 65 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 25 | 61 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 22 | 46% | 42% | |||
| 1988-89 | 25 | Portland | SF | 67 | 4 | 811 | 498 | 132 | 60 | 63 | 69 | 45 | 3 | 64 | 99 | 202 | 436 | 7 | 31 | 87 | 120 | 51% | 47% | |||
| 1987-88 | 24 | New Jersey | SF | 20 | 3 | 308 | 133 | 48 | 16 | 20 | 28 | 16 | 11 | 29 | 41 | 56 | 134 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 23 | 46% | 42% | Total | 237 | 49 | 3867 | 1447 | 725 | 174 | 319 | 406 | 162 | 101 | 213 | 452 | 601 | 1281 | 47% | 10 | 44 | 23% | 235 | 399 | 59% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 24 | Atlanta | C | 2 | 0 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0% | ||
| 1995-96 | 23 | Philadelphia | C | 73 | 41 | 22.1 | 6.2 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 51% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 52% | 51% | ||
| 1994-95 | 22 | Philadelphia | C | 64 | 1 | 16.1 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 4.0 | 47% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 48% | 47% | ||
| 1989-90 | 26 | Minnesota | SF | 11 | 0 | 8.3 | 5.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 41% | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 46% | 42% | ||
| 1988-89 | 25 | Portland | SF | 67 | 4 | 12.1 | 7.4 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 6.5 | 46% | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 51% | 47% | ||
| 1987-88 | 24 | New Jersey | SF | 20 | 3 | 15.4 | 6.7 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 42% | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 46% | 42% | Total | 237 | 49 | 16.3 | 6.1 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 5.4 | 47% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 23% | 1.0 | 1.7 | 59% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Turkey - Efes Pilsen (1996–1997), Türk Telekom (2006–2007) | Spain - TDK Manresa (1997–1998), FC Barcelona (1998–2000), Pamesa Valencia (2000–2002), Real Madrid (2002–2003), Plus Pujol Lleida (2003–2005) | France - BCM Gravelines (2005–2006) | Russia - Ural Great Perm (2006) | New Zealand - New Zealand Breakers (2007–2008) | Argentina - Libertad de Sunchales (2008–2009), Boca Juniors (2009–2010), Ciclista Olímpico de La Banda (2010), La Unión de Formosa (2010), Boca Juniors (2011–2012)
Alston joined Efes Pilsen for the 1996–97 Turkish Basketball League season in Turkey, winning the Turkish National Championship and Turkish National Cup while averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds across 12 EuroLeague games.
Alston joined TDK Manresa for the 1997–98 Liga ACB season in Spain, winning the Spanish National Championship while averaging 17.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 34 regular-season games and 17.8 points and 9.8 rebounds in the Korac Cup.
Alston joined FC Barcelona for the 1998–99 Liga ACB season in Spain, winning the Spanish National Championship, the 1999 Korac Cup, and Spanish League Finals MVP while averaging 15.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in 34 Liga ACB games.
Alston remained with FC Barcelona for the 1999–2000 EuroLeague season in Spain, averaging 11.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 24 EuroLeague games.
Alston joined Pamesa Valencia for the 2000–01 Liga ACB season in Spain, averaging 20.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 2.4 blocks in 34 Liga ACB games while being named Spanish League Defensive Player of the Year and leading the league in steals and blocks.
Alston remained with Pamesa Valencia for the 2001–02 Liga ACB season in Spain, averaging 15.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in 34 Liga ACB games and 15.1 points and 7.8 rebounds across 17 Saporta Cup games.
Alston joined Real Madrid for the 2002–03 Liga ACB and EuroLeague season in Spain, averaging 13.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 34 Liga ACB games and recording 23 points against Idea Slask on 23 October 2002.
Alston joined Plus Pujol Lleida for the 2003–04 Liga ACB season in Spain, averaging 12.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 33 Liga ACB games.
Alston remained with Plus Pujol Lleida for the 2004–05 Liga ACB season in Spain, averaging 11.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 23 Liga ACB games.
Alston joined BCM Gravelines for the 2005–06 season in France, averaging 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds across six games.
Alston joined Ural Great Perm for the 2006 EuroCup Challenge season in Russia, averaging 15.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in six EuroCup Challenge games.
Alston joined Türk Telekom for the 2006–07 Turkish Basketball League and EuroCup season in Turkey, averaging 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 14 EuroCup games.
Alston joined the New Zealand Breakers for the 2007–08 season in New Zealand, averaging 13.8 points and shooting 56.0 percent from the field as the club reached the playoffs.
Alston joined Libertad de Sunchales for the 2008–09 Liga Nacional season in Argentina, averaging 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in three FIBA Americas League games.
Alston joined Boca Juniors in 2009 in Argentina, scoring 26 points in a 111–104 Liga Nacional playoff win over Peñarol and later averaging 13.6 points across 26 league games for Boca.
Alston joined Ciclista Olímpico de La Banda for the 2010 Liga Nacional season in Argentina, averaging 12.2 points across 29 league games and making the final basket in an 87–86 overtime win over Quilmes in the Reclasificación series.
Alston joined La Unión de Formosa on 15 June 2010 for the 2010–11 Liga Nacional season in Argentina, averaging 8.3 points across 12 league games.
Alston returned to Boca Juniors for the 2011–12 Liga Nacional season in Argentina, averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds across 51 games and scoring 15 points with six rebounds and four assists against Peñarol on 29 January 2012.
COLLEGE
Derrick Alston played four NCAA seasons at Duquesne from 1990–91 through 1993–94, developing into one of the program’s most productive frontcourt scorers and rim protectors while appearing in 114 career games and averaging 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game on 56.1% shooting from the field.
As a freshman in 1990–91, Alston played 28 games and made 25 starts, logging 28.8 minutes per night while averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, with a 53.6% field goal percentage and 59.8% free-throw shooting.
In 1991–92, he again played 28 games and increased his workload to 32.8 minutes per game, lifting his production to 13.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per night while also averaging 2.1 blocks per game and shooting 55.6% from the floor.
Alston’s junior season in 1992–93 marked a major jump in offensive responsibility as he played 28 games (27 starts), averaged 34.3 minutes, and produced 19.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, continuing to anchor the paint defensively with 2.1 blocks per contest while shooting 56.3% from the field.
As a senior in 1993–94, Alston played 30 games and carried a heavy minute load at 36.0 minutes per game, leading the Dukes with 21.3 points per game while adding 7.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.8 blocks per night, and he finished the season with 639 total points and 218 rebounds while earning First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors.
Across his Duquesne career, Alston finished with 1,903 points to rank second on the school’s all-time scoring list and added 879 rebounds to rank fifth in program history, while his 2.0 blocks per game sit among the top career marks recorded by Duquesne players over multiple seasons.
COACHING HISTORY
Alston moved into coaching immediately after finishing his playing career in 2012, joining the Houston Rockets organisation. He began as an intern before moving into a player-development coaching role and spent three seasons with Houston from 2012 to 2015, working with players at NBA level and beginning the player-development focus that became a major part of his coaching career.
During his time with Houston, Alston also worked internationally through basketball-development programs. In 2014, he travelled to the Philippines as a United States Department of State Sports Envoy alongside former WNBA player Allison Feaster, conducting basketball clinics and community programs for young players.
On 27 October 2015, Alston joined the Westchester Knicks, the NBA G League affiliate of the New York Knicks, as an assistant coach. He spent four seasons as an assistant from 2015/16 through 2018/19, helping Westchester to a combined 108–92 regular-season record. The Knicks reached the playoffs in three of those four seasons, including a 32–18 campaign in 2017/18 and a 30–20 season in 2018/19. During the 2018/19 postseason, Westchester recorded the first playoff victory in franchise history.
Alston also received additional development opportunities while with Westchester. In 2016, he served as an assistant coach for the NBA Development League Select Team at the Las Vegas Summer League.
On 20 August 2019, Alston was promoted to head coach of the Westchester Knicks, becoming the fourth head coach in franchise history and replacing Mike Miller after Miller joined the New York Knicks staff. In his first season, Westchester finished 17–24. Alston's first head-coaching victory came in his second game, a 116–109 road win over the Greensboro Swarm on 13 November 2019. The 2019/20 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic with nine scheduled games unplayed.
Westchester returned for the condensed 2021 NBA G League season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. Alston coached the Knicks to a 7–8 record, finishing just outside the eight-team playoff field. During the season, Westchester produced NBA call-ups and Jared Harper was named to the All-NBA G League First Team, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn First Team honours.
Alston returned for the 2021/22 season. Westchester went 5–9 in the Showcase Cup before the records reset for the traditional regular season, where the Knicks finished 17–15 and narrowly missed the playoffs. His seven-year run with Westchester ended following the season, comprising four seasons as an assistant and three as head coach.
In October 2022, Alston joined the College Park Skyhawks, the NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, as an assistant coach for the 2022/23 season. College Park finished the traditional regular season 18–14 and reached the NBA G League playoffs, where the Skyhawks were eliminated in the first round.
On 15 February 2023, Alston was appointed head coach of the Montréal Alliance in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Montréal improved from four wins the previous season to a 7–13 record in Alston's first year, finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference and missing the postseason.
Following the 2023 CEBL season, Alston was appointed head coach of Pioneros de Los Mochis in Mexico's CIBACOPA for the 2024 season. Pioneros finished the regular season 14–22 and qualified for the playoffs. Their season ended in the opening playoff series against two-time defending champion Astros de Jalisco, with Astros winning the series 4–1 after taking Game 5 114–82. Pioneros finished the campaign with a combined 15–26 record across the regular season and playoffs.
Alston returned to Montréal for a second CEBL season in 2024. The Alliance finished the regular season 6–14 but, as host of Championship Weekend, advanced directly to the East Conference Final. Montréal pushed top-seeded Niagara to the final possession before the River Lions won 78–75, ending the Alliance's season one victory short of the CEBL Championship Final.
After two seasons with Montréal, the Alliance did not renew Alston's contract for 2025. He finished his CEBL tenure with a 13–27 regular-season record and one Championship Weekend appearance.
In November 2024, Alston joined the Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, as an assistant coach under Beno Udrih. Wisconsin finished the 2024/25 regular season 19–15. Alston returned for a second season in 2025/26, when the Herd finished 10–26. Across his G League coaching career, he has been credited with helping develop more than 16 players who received NBA call-ups.
In July 2026, Alston returned to the NBL when the Perth Wildcats appointed him as an assistant coach on John Rillie's staff for the 2026/27 season. He joined Aaron Young and Ben Peterson on the coaching team, with Alston's primary focus including the Wildcats' defence. The appointment brought him back to a league in which he had previously played for the New Zealand Breakers during the 2007/08 season.
Perth opened the 2026/27 season with a 100–79 loss to South East Melbourne before defeating Adelaide 98–97, New Zealand 97–93 and South East Melbourne 92–88 to move to 3–1 through October 3, 2026. Alston remained on the Wildcats staff as the season continued.
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