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Georgia Tech Basketball Player Previews: #4 G Brandon Alston

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 21: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends against Brandon Alston #4 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets beside Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 21, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 65-54. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 21: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends against Brandon Alston #4 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets beside Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 21, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 65-54. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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The former Lehigh Mountain Hawk was a quality contributor as a part-time starter in 2017-18 and will look to contribute even more in 2018-19.

Brandon Alston‘s first year as a Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket last year had its ups and its downs. The graduate transfer played in 32 games for the Jackets last year and started 19 of them at guard. Defined as the Jackets “three-and-d” role, Alston will most likely reprise that role this season.

Alston got out to a quick start last year for Tech, scoring 10,14, and 20 points respectively in his first three games. However, his scoring pace would slow down for the season, crossing the 10-point threshold just three more times for the season. The returns of Tadric Jackson and Josh Okogie from suspension and injury played a large part of his diminished stats and role.

Over the course of the season, Alston was a semi-efficient shooter, struggling from short and medium ranges but having a strong season beyond the arch. At seasons end, his shooting percentages were 37.3%, 38.5%, and 70.7%. His shooting percentages from three-point range and the line are encouraging but all three numbers were also career lows for the Virginia native, which means that all three numbers should see a rise this season.

Overall offensively, Alston was just about an average offensive player last year with an offensive rating of 98.6. His per 40-minutes stats show just that with his points per game number inflated to 9.2 for 40-minutes of action.

Defensively, Alston isn’t a tremendous asset with a defensive rating last year of 112.9, the worst of his career. His career average entering this season is 107.8. In addition, his defensive win share last year was just 0.5. When it comes to steals and blocks, Alston had a steal percentage of just 0.9% percent, the lowest among any Jacket who played in 10+ games last season. His block percentage of 0.1% was also the lowest among the same player pool.

The one place that Alston was solid in last season was his abilities to find an open shooter. Last year, Alston averaged 1.6 assists per contest and had an assist percentage of just over 12%.

Next. Player Preview: #3 F Evan Cole. dark

This upcoming season, Alston in a spot where he will have to be more consistent and efficient for the Jackets to be successful in 2018-19. Last year’s efficiency rating will have to improve from 7.7 or Alston’s playing time will take a cut especially with the presence of Michael Devoe now within the program.