Derrick Alston

Derrick Alston is an American basketball coach and former player who played professionally in the National Basketball Association for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Atlanta Hawks, and various international leagues.

He won the Spanish League championship with FC Barcelona in 1999 and was named Spanish League Finals MVP.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Derrick Samuel Alston Sr. was born on August 20, 1972, in the Bronx, New York. He stands 208 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 102 kg. He shot right and played both power forward and center throughout his career.

His son, Derrick Alston Jr., played college basketball at Boise State before becoming a professional player. He also has a daughter named Avery.

High School and College Career

Alston attended Hoboken High School in Hoboken, New Jersey. He then played college basketball at Duquesne University from 1990 to 1994, where he earned First-team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 1994.

Professional Career

Alston's professional career began in 1994 when he was selected 33rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Draft. He spent his first two seasons with the 76ers (1994-1996) before a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks in 1996.

Following his NBA career, Alston embarked on an extensive international journey, starting with Efes Pilsen in Turkey. He found his greatest success in Spain, playing for multiple clubs including TDK Manresa, FC Barcelona (where he won the Spanish League championship and Finals MVP in 1999), Pamesa Valencia, Real Madrid, and Lleida.

His international career continued with stops in France (BCM Gravelines), Russia (Ural Great Perm), Turkey (Türk Telekom), New Zealand (Breakers), and Argentina (Libertad de Sunchales, Boca Juniors, and La Unión de Formosa). He concluded his playing career with Boca Juniors in 2012.

After retiring as a player, Alston transitioned to coaching. He served as an Assistant Coach for the Houston Rockets (2012-2015) before joining the Westchester Knicks organization, first as an assistant (2015-2019) and then as head coach (2019-2022).

He later worked as an assistant coach for the College Park Skyhawks, became head coach of the Montreal Alliance, and briefly coached Pioneros de Los Mochis before taking his current position as an assistant coach with the Wisconsin Herd.

Career Highlights:

• 1999 - Spanish League Champion
• 1999 - Spanish League Finals MVP
• 1994 - First-team All-Atlantic 10