Levan Shawn "Shizz" Alston Jr. (born September 21, 1996) is an American professional basketball for Vëllaznimi of the Kosovo Superleague. He played college basketball at Temple University.
.jpeg) Alston playing with Kangoeroes in 2021 | |
| KB Vëllaznimi | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| League | Kosovo Superleague |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 21, 1996 |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | The Haverford School (Haverford, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Temple (2015–2019) |
| NBA draft | 2019: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2020 | Delaware Blue Coats |
| 2020–2021 | Lavrio |
| 2021–2022 | Kangoeroes Mechelen |
| 2023 | SeaHorses Mikawa |
| 2024–present | Vëllaznimi |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life
editAlston grew up in North Philadelphia. His father, Levan Alston Sr., played basketball at Temple in the 1990s and professionally in China, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy. Growing up, the younger Alson would frequently call his father when he was overseas and discuss NBA games. When current Temple coach Aaron McKie played for the 76ers, he would sometimes leave tickets for Shizz.[1] The younger Alston attended The Haverford School and averaged 16.1 points per game as a sophomore. As a junior, he averaged 16.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and was named Second Team All State. As a senior, Alston was named First Team All State and led Haverford to a 17–11 record and the semifinals of the Pennsylvania Independent School Tournament. He averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.[2] Alston was named Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year.[3] He was an ESPN Top 100 recruit and selected Temple over offers from Notre Dame, Marquette, and VCU among others.[1]
College career
editIn his collegiate debut, Alston scored 12 points in a 91–67 loss to North Carolina. His minutes decreased throughout his freshman season, and though Temple reached the NCAA Tournament, Alston considered the season frustrating largely playing behind Quenton DeCosey and Devin Coleman.[3] Alston averaged 2.1 points per game as a freshman.[4] He saw his minutes increase as a sophomore and averaged 13.9 points per game.[3] On December 7, 2017, Alston scored 22 points in a 59–55 win over Wisconsin and broke the Temple record by hitting 52 consecutive free throws.[5] Alston averaged 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior on a team that reached the NIT.[6] On December 12, 2018, Alston scored 31 points against UMass and hit three clinching free throws.[1] He scored a career-high 34 points in a 78–71 win against UConn on March 7, 2019.[7] As a senior, Alston averaged 19.7 points per game, which led the American Athletic Conference, and 5.0 assists per game, second highest in the league. He was named First Team All-Conference. Alston led Temple to a 23–10 record and NCAA Tournament appearance.[8] Alston set school records by making a three-pointer in 44 consecutive games and shooting 90.8 percent from the foul line as a senior.[9]
Professional career
editPrior to the 2019 NBA draft, Alston worked out with the hometown Philadelphia 76ers.[9] He competed for the Indiana Pacers in NBA Summer League play and averaged 8.0 points per game. On October 19, the 76ers signed and waived Alston so they could add him to their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.[10] He averaged 3.7 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game in 23 games.[11]
On March 11, 2020, Alston signed with GTK Gliwice of the Polish league,[11] but he never made an official appearance with the club. On June 13, 2020, Alston signed with Lavrio of the Greek Basket League.[12]
In May 2021, Alston signed with Belgian side Kangoeroes Mechelen for the 2021–22 season.[13]
On January 17, 2023, Alston signed with SeaHorses Mikawa of the Japanese B.League.[14]
On August 22, 2024, Alston signed for Vëllaznimi of the Kosovan Superleague.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c Zeitlin, Dave (January 9, 2019). "A son of Philly hoops: How his father's path and his city upbringing shaped Temple's Shizz Alston Jr". The Athletic. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ "Hall of Fame Nominees" (PDF). The Haverford School Athletic Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c Narducci, Marc (March 12, 2019). "Temple's Shizz Alston has come a long way from a frustrating freshman season". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ Paone, Greg (November 9, 2016). "Temple basketball season preview: A year of change on North Broad Street". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ "Alston sets free-throw record, Temple downs Wisconsin 59-55". USA Today. Associated Press. December 6, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ Vender, Matt (April 2, 2018). "Alston discusses his future at Temple, talks about McKie". OwlScoop. Rivals.com. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ Eaton-Robb, Patt (March 7, 2019). "Shizz Alston's career night vs. UConn helps keep Temple's NCAA tournament at-large hopes alive". NBC Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ Hunt, Donald (March 18, 2020). "Levan Alston looks forward to watching son, Shizz Alston Jr., play in the NCAA tournament". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ a b Hunt, Donald (June 6, 2019). "Shizz Alston, Jr. works out for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ Levick, Noah (October 19, 2019). "Sixers sign and then waive Shizz Alston Jr., Terry Harris for purpose of adding them to Delaware Blue Coats". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "GTK Gliwice signs Shizz Alston Jr". Eurobasket. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ Skerletic, Dario (June 13, 2020). "Shizz Alston Jr. reportedly joining BC Lavrio". Sportando. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Shizz Alston Jr. naar Kangoeroes Mechelen". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "選手加入のお知らせ(シズ・オルストン選手)" (in Japanese). SeaHorses Mikawa. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Vëllaznimi transferon basketbollistin Shizz Alston" (in Albanian). abresh.info. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.