Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Derrick Alston Jr. emerged as a high-level scorer in college, using his length and shooting touch to create problems for opposing defenses. His ability to play multiple positions and contribute in a variety of ways has helped him carve out opportunities as a professional basketball player. Below is an overview of his background and career:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Derrick Samuel Alston Jr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: September 17, 1997
  • Hometown: Houston, Texas, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (205 cm)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 21
  • Position: Small Forward / Point Guard
  • High School: Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, Houston, Texas
  • College: Boise State University (2017–2021)
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in 2021
  • Professional Career:
    • Salt Lake City Stars (2021–2022): Played in the NBA G League.
    • Rostock Seawolves (2022–2024): Competed in the German ProA league.
    • Bàsquet Manresa (2024–Present): Currently playing in Spain’s Liga ACB and the Basketball Champions League.
  • Championship Rings: None to date
  • Children: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Derrick Alston Jr.’s player archetype is that of a long scoring forward, a rangy combo wing who brings shot-making, straight-line driving and face-up skill to the frontcourt while still moving like a perimeter player. Defensively, he fits best as a switchable forward who can use his length to contest wings and combo forwards, disrupt passing lanes and survive across multiple matchups, even if he is more functional than overpowering as an interior presence. Offensively, his role is built around being a scoring option who can stretch the floor, attack closeouts and create some offense off the dribble, with enough ball skill to operate beyond simple catch-and-shoot duties. Physically, Alston stands around 6-foot-9 with a lean frame, long arms and fluid mobility, and his overall play style blends finesse, versatility and scoring instincts, making him the kind of forward who can influence a game from the arc, in transition and from face-up situations.

Scouting Report

Derrick Alston Jr. is at his best when he lets the game come to him instead of hunting it. The first thing you notice is how easily he flows between roles during the same possession. One trip he’ll space the floor in the corner, the next he’ll curl off a pin-down into a one-dribble pull-up, then on the following possession he’ll attack a hard closeout and finish before the help rotates across. He has the length to shoot over smaller defenders without rushing, and because his release is difficult to contest, defenders are often forced to close out aggressively, which opens driving lanes he attacks with long, controlled strides rather than explosive bursts. That’s where his offensive value expands. He’s a willing passer who recognizes when the low man steps over, making the extra kick-out or drop-off instead of forcing contested attempts, although he isn’t the type of creator who consistently breaks defenses down off the dribble against set pressure. The trade-off is that physical defenders who crowd his handle can disrupt his rhythm and push him into tougher mid-range looks than he’d probably like. Defensively, his length shows up in subtle ways. He occupies passing lanes, contests without needing to leave his feet early and can switch across multiple perimeter assignments because he keeps good balance instead of reaching. It’s easy to overlook how many possessions he ends simply by being in the correct help position before the ball arrives. Stronger forwards can move him closer to the rim than ideal, and smaller, quicker guards can occasionally turn the corner if he’s isolated in space, but his awareness usually allows him to recover without putting the defense into rotation. To me, his ideal role is as a complementary scoring forward who thrives alongside a primary initiator, spacing the floor, attacking secondary actions and providing dependable team defense rather than serving as the focal point of an offense. There are similarities to Wilson Chandler in the smooth blend of perimeter shooting and slashing, while parts of his game resemble James Ennis, particularly the ability to contribute offensively without monopolizing possessions and to quietly influence games through intelligent positioning on both ends of the floor.

Sources:

Boise State Athletics — Derrick Alston, Jr. – Men’s Basketball
FIBA Basketball — Derrick Alston Jr. () – Basketball Stats, Height, Age
NBA Draft Room — Derrick Alston Jr.
NBADraft.net — Derrick Alston Jr.