For Westchester Knicks Head Coach Derrick Alston, Success Is In The Details

After four years as an assistant for Mike Miller, Alston takes the reins over in Westchester

With the promotion of former Westchester Knicks head coach Mike Miller to the New York coaching staff, a vacancy was created. An after four years as an assistant, Derrick Alston earned a promotion of his own.

“It’s exciting,” Alston told 2 Ways & 10 Days of being named the franchise’s newest head coach. “I’m very excited for the opportunity and continue the success we’ve been having. I can’t wait to get started.”

Continued success may be an understatement. In four years as head coach, Miller made the playoffs three season and finished with a 108–92 (.540) record. But the Hoboken, NJ native’s time with Miller helped prepare him for this moment.

“Coach Miller is very particular in being so detailed and that carries over to the team,” Alston said. “I’d always hear from other coaches about how we run our stuff offensively and defensively. There was no shortcuts, we held guys accountable and it showed.”

Though he did have four years to prepare for this moment, Alston still knows the challenges he faces by what he may not know.

“I’m putting the time in so I’ll be prepared, but it’s just the unknown when you’re a coach,” Alston said. “Being put in certain situations. I’ll take the blame if things don’t go well and I’ll praise (players) if things go right.

“We are here as player development coaches and I think that’s our number one goal. To make them better basketball players and better men.”

But before joining the Westchester staff, Alston had a playing career of his own. After being selected 33rd overall in the 1994 NBA Draft and spending two seasons in the Association, Alston’s career took him globetrotting.

From Spain, France, Russia, Turkey, New Zealand and beyond. The world helped shape him into the coach Alston feels he has become.

I think just by playing in so many different places you’re exposed to so many different types of culture and it helps you relate to many different types of players and their attitudes,” Alston said. “Just being open and learning about different countries and how they play basketball.

“The style of NBA ball is one way. You go to Spain it’s a lot different with a lot more ball movement and player movement. You go to Russia where things are a lot more physical. I took a lot of those lessons and it’s helped me in my coaching career.”

As Alston forges his own coaching career, his son Derrick Alston Jr. is doing the same on the basketball court. Alston’s son is currently playing for Boise State where he averaged just over 13 points in 27 minutes per game.

When he’s not coaching, the elder Alston finds a way to watch his son’s games. And yes, there’s the emotional moments watching his son compete, and perhaps even yelling at the TV screen in frustration, but it comes from a place of love.

“It’s very humbling, it’s very emotional watching him play sometimes,” Alston said. “He’s paving his own way. I just think me being his dad I just give him a lot of insight into being a professional, how this business works, and what’s next.”

“Since I’ve been a coach I’ve been able to help him with this journey. I’ve been very proud to see him hopefully continue his career after college.

This past week, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed into law SB 206, a bill that allows collegiate athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. It does not require colleges to pay their athletes. Having made his way through the collegiate ranks having played four years at Duquesne University, Alston is in favor of supporting NCAA athletes.

“With everything that’s going on in college basketball I’ve always felt that way,” Alston said. “You should be able to make money off your likeness or image, it’s only fair.”

The Westchester squad practices in the same facility as their New York counterparts do. This helps to allow the two teams to work together as one according to Alston.

“A lot of it is so easy and so beneficial because we are in the same building,” Alston said. “It gives (players) hope because they see the banners and their locker room is on the other side of the building, it gives them motivation.

“Coach Fizdale and their staff have been great along with Steve Mills and Scott Perry, they give us everything we need. We feel like we are an extended staff instead of just a G League staff. It helps with the continuity and the culture.”

Continuing to develop young talent is important for the Knicks’ franchise, and it begins in Westchester. With a New York roster trying to find its own identity, Alston and his staff will provide the stability necessary to help develop their young talent.