While Loyola Chicago’s transition into the Atlantic-10 hasn’t gone quite as smoothly as many expected with the Ramblers sitting 1-7 in conference play and 7-13 overall, Division II transfer Philip Alston has been a major source of recourse during what has been a difficult season.
The 6-foot-6 forward is classified as a junior having spent three seasons at California University of Pennsylvania – one of which was canceled due to COVID-19 – where he had a breakout sophomore campaign for the Vulcans, averaging a double-double of 21 PPG and 10.8 RPG.
In just his first season in Chicago, Alston has continued to find scoring and rebounding success averaging a team-leading 14.6 PPG and 5.7 RPG while shooting 50% from the field and 46% from deep.
This past weekend, the Division II Third Team All-American set a career-high at the DI level managing 25 Points, four rebounds, and shooting 53% on field goals despite the Ramblers getting beat 72-58 by Duquesne.
He’s even amassed a pair of double-doubles on the season with Alston producing 17 points and 11 rebounds in a recent win over Albany and later, 16 points and 11 rebounds in a road loss to St. Joe’s.
Furthermore, Alston proved a key contributor on the national stage for his program, collecting 16 points, nine rebounds, and 2 steals to lead the Ramblers charge in what was a tightly contested 67-51 loss to No. 24 Texas A&M.
As possibly the most sought after Division II transfer from this past offseason, Alston is proving his worth to Loyola and has lead the Ramblers throughout the early season but will coach Drew Valentine’s squad be able to find any success behind Alston as the A-10 looks to finish out conference play.
