The Aiden Alston Interview (Cinnaminson, NJ)

July 05, 2023

The Aiden Alston Interview (Cinnaminson, NJ)

Name: Aiden Alston

Hometown: Cinnaminson, NJ

Height: 6-2

Position: Shooting Guard

High School: Combine Academy (NC)

Graduation Class: 2024

GPA: 3.8

Status: Uncommitted

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Aiden Alston is a 6-2 Shooting Guard from Cinnaminson, New Jersey. He's a rising senior at Combine Academy, who most recently transferred from Cinnaminson High School. Alston has played with the likes of Louisville incoming freshman Trentyn Flowers, Rakease Passmore, who's a rated 4-star 2024 prospect in 247sports and ESPN's (#54) rankings, and George Richard Aare, who was a 2023 prospect from Estonia at Combine.

We all know a "Jersey guard" when we see one. Lots of finesse to their game, some are uber athletic and on the other hand, they have some of the most competitive fire you will see throughout the country. But, now Alston has a chance to grow his game on the prep level. Operating from the wing, Alston has shown flashes of his range. From the perimeter to moving into a sweet pull up jumper, I have seen a boost in Alston's confidence over the past few months. I could type about someone's skill all day, but let's dive deep into the situation.

Moving far away from home at this age can come with struggle. Missing family, leaving friends behind, adjusting to a college prep schedule and not having a typical high school student experience, prep basketball is a different animal that some kids can't handle. But, who says that change is a bad thing? Although, I have only come across Alston in a short time, the young man is above his years, and has handled his situation well. From putting his head down and focusing on ball, keeping his grades up to priority, and using his experience to network in meeting different faces from around the world, he is setting himself up well to conquer the real world.

Can Alston conquer an RPN Interview?

Let's take a look.

I caught up with the 2024 guard in an interview on growing up in South Jersey, the move to Combine and preparation heading into next season.

Aiden Alston Interview

When did you first start playing basketball?

"I first started playing very late in my life when I was 12 years old. When I was younger I wasn’t interested in basketball. Football was more my sport until I started realizing that I was getting taller and bigger, so for my sixth grade year, I started playing basketball on a team for the first time ever. Like every other kid watching the NBA, I loved Steph Curry’s game. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before, and I wanted to be like him."

Describe your game from the skill standpoint.

"I would say my role on my team is a shooter. I had the highest shooting percentage on my team this year shooting 92% as I only missed between 11 to 12 threes this past season. As a smaller guard, it’s difficult to get to the paint when the big defending is twice the size I am. Shooting is how I provide for my team, but I wouldn’t sleep on my playmaking either. If I see that there is a mismatch between players, I will not hesitate to pass the ball. Especially if I see a wide open cut to the basket."

How was life growing up in South Jersey?

"I loved New Jersey as I lived there for most of my life. I get the privilege of being in the middle of Philadelphia and New York City. All my friends and most of my family lives in jersey, so I try to visit when I can. I feel like sports wise it’s like every other state where sports is a gateway. There’s so many opportunities with making friends, or building a name for yourself at a young age."

You made the decision to leave home and attend Combine Academy this past summer. What went into the process of you moving to Carolina?

"Moving to combine was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to do. Moving to North Carolina, leaving behind friends and family, it was rough as it was just me, my mom and step dad, so this was a big commitment. I wanted to play college ball, and I wasn’t gonna get that opportunity back in jersey. Then, one day I got an opportunity to fly out to Charlotte, and watch these highly ranked teams match off, and that’s when I got to meet Coach (Ray) Wolfred, who is now the national head coach for Southern Coast Academy. The man who changed my life by recruiting me, I had a chance to play for at Combine Academy."

How was your junior season?

"When I made the decision to go to Combine, I knew I wasn’t going to get a bunch of minutes my first year there. I just tried to pick the brains of my teammates and, coaches to understand the game more. Combine is different from other schools. They do things there that other schools don’t such as living on campus, which most of my teammates did since they were from all around the world. We even had our own team house for the national team. We’ve gotten to bond not just as a team, but as a family. After practice we would go back to the house just to hang out, talk, play video games, or just go out and get something to eat. But, everything we did, it was together. I’m glad I got on the national team because even though I didn’t play as much as all my other teammates, I got to practice with some of the best players in the country. Rakeese Passmore, Trentyn Flowers, Silas Demary Jr, and so many more incredible players who all were ranked in the top 100 rankings across platforms."

"It was tough at first playing with the best," Alston continued. "But, throughout the season, I felt I was getting better every day especially when we were scrimmaging. I was getting better at defense against faster, and stronger guards than me. At the end of our season, our record was 30-5, while being nationally ranked, the number one team in North Carolina, and ranked on ESPN all year long. We won our first state championship as a team, and combine won its third in a row. I can’t wait to run it back for our second ring next season.

You've been in Carolina for quite some time, but what are some of the things you’ve noticed living down south vs. up north?

"I’ve noticed that people are more mature over here. Back home in Jersey there were only a couple of people my age that were mature, and cared about how to present themselves to other people. Here in North Carolina people my age you would think they were in their 20’s they way they act and dress. Even though Charlotte is a big city, it’s also a very small world. Everyone knows each other, which is really weird, but nice at the same time. Fun fact is that I also realized that the food is way better in Jersey than Carolina except for Zaxby’s."

Who is your favorite player and why?

"This is a hard question for me because I have so many. When I first started playing basketball, I was bigger than the other kids my age, so I was put at the center position. Since I was a center, I tried to watch centers in the NBA to try, and see how they play. I watched Joel Embiid, and he easily became my favorite player. Even though now that I’m a guard to this day, Embiid is still my favorite player. I also like Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant because those guys are who I try to model my game after in the current day."

Who would you consider your role models?

"My biggest role models are my mom, dad, and step dad because they are also my biggest supporters. They've sacrificed so much for me to be where I am today, and when times are tough they keep pushing me to try again."

What do you believe is the greatest challenges players are facing right now?

"I think there are a couple of challenges that high school athletes are facing. For instance NIL. I think NIL is one of the smartest ideas when it comes to high school athletes, but it’s only for the best of the best. I think that even though your not a 4 or 5 star athlete, there should be some kind of way for other teenagers to make a bit of money playing the sport they love. We've put so much blood, sweat, and tears into our craft."

As you’re now at the age where you’re starting to look for college opportunities, what do you ideally look for in a college?

"Education is a big part of who I am and for college. I would like to major in business, or something that mixes in with athletics. But, other than that, I’m not to picky for colleges. As long as I can get to a school, and can contribute to the team, that’s all I want and need."

What are your expectations heading into next season?

"I expect to be way more efficient this upcoming season. Last season, I was just a shooter, but now I really believe that I can be the guard that Combine needs. I’ve been really working hard this offseason to prepare my body and mind by weight lifting, more on my ball handling, and even defensive drills. I’m excited for what is coming up next for me, my teammates, and playing under the leadership of head coach, Mike Wright."

Thank you Aiden for taking the time to talk with me. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation? Any last words?
"The thing that I have realized is that anything is possible with God. I was at a regular public school a year ago, and now I play for one of the best national ranked basketball teams in the country. To the people that have a dream and goals, work hard for it, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. It's hard and sometimes you might even want to quit, but that’s where you have to fight the hardest and push through. Thank you RPN factory for allowing me to tell my story."