By Laura Amato
Jasmine Alston does not enjoy playing defense.
The La Salle senior and Long Island City native would do just about anything to get the ball back in her hands, grab a bit of control and put points on the board. It’s a desire that has landed her in the Explorers’ history books.
Alston became the program’s all-time leader in steals Jan. 14, when she recorded her 234th career pickoff before almost immediately getting back on offense. It’s what she’s always done.
“I actually didn’t really know I was closing in on it until I looked at the game notes and I was just like, ‘I’m three steals away from tying it!’” Alston said. “It was crazy to think about. … Any opportunity to get the ball and get back on offense is one I’m going to take. I just want to score the ball. It’s just about pressuring the ball, picking the pass off and moving.”
Alston’s steals record wasn’t her first foray into hoops history. She became the first La Salle player since 2000 to notch a triple-double last season and this year, the senior point guard has settled into a leadership position that she knows will define her career with the squad.
“I’ve always naturally been put in a leadership position – just being a point guard, you have to be vocal,” Alston said. “But this year I’m trying to lead the team, not just vocally, but by example.”
In her first 18 games this year, Alston has averaged 8.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game – rarely coming off the court. Not that she would want to. Alston thrives on playing and, most importantly, setting up her teammates.
It’s why she is always so keen to grab a steal on defense – she wants to get out in transition, push the offense and find the open player.
“I’m definitely been known as a pass-first, dish it off kind of player,” said Alston, who finished 11th in the nation in assists last year. “I get in the lane and if I see somebody open, I’ll always make the extra pass for them.”
Alston always knew La Salle was the perfect program for her and she has savored every moment on the court. As far as she’s concerned, this isn’t just a team or a game, it’s a family – one she knows will still be there even after she’s wrapped up her career.
“This isn’t just somewhere you go for four years and you don’t have a connection after,” Alston said. “This is a lifelong connection between school and him and everyone here that’s impacted me.”
Of course, there have been adjustments over the last four years, both on and off the court. Alston has had to learn how to play a bit more defense, even when she doesn’t want to, and life at a small school has been different than anything she experienced at Bishop Loughlin.
“It was definitely a change from New York,” she said about attending the Philadelphia university. “I actually had to learn how to drive because there’s not much out here. I got my license when I was 20 years old.”
Despite the differences and the defense, Alston wouldn’t change a moment of her time with the Explorers. It’s been a historic run for her and, now, as she stares down the end of her college career, she’s determined to seize the next opportunity.
“I got invited to a couple of combines down in Texas during the Final Four, so we’ll test the waters there,” Alston said. “I’d like to play overseas or anything like that, if there’s an opportunity I’m going to take it.”
