Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Max Dolente
Like Father, Like Son: Shizz Alston, Jr. Continues a Temple Legacy
3.9.19 | Men's Basketball
Following in your father's footsteps. Never an easy thing to do.
Especially when your father is larger than life in Philadelphia college basketball, winning two Big 5 Championships and playing on two NCAA Tournament teams in only two seasons. Then later playing professionally overseas.
Shizz Alston, Jr. knew that challenge coming in, but there was no place he would rather be than Temple University, playing for Fran Dunphy, Aaron McKie and for his father, Levan's, Temple Owls.
"I thought about other places, but he (Levan) was pretty adamant about Temple. I really did not have a choice at the end of the day, especially when Coach McKie got here," said Shizz. "In my heart I always knew I wanted to come to Temple. I used to come to at least 15 games a year growing up."
A four-star recruit at The Haverford School, Alston's career did not start off in storybook fashion. He recalls turning the ball over on his first play of his first college game, vs. #1 North Carolina, but rebounded to score 12 points in 15 minutes off the bench. That first year, he had growing pains, as most freshmen encounter, and ended the season averaging a mere two points and dishing just 19 assists over 31 games on a Temple team that would win the American Athletic Conference regular season championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Since that rookie season, Shizz has simply shizzled.  He has started in 95 consecutive games and arguably has been the team's most valuable player each season.  Now a team co-captain, the 6-4 point guard is having one of the best seasons ever by a Temple Owl.
Consider this:
This magical year started with the son donning his father's #10 for the first time in his college career.
"It means a lot," said Shizz. "I get to put on the number that he wore and he's at every game so I know I'm making him proud."
To dad, it means even more.
"He actually did not tell me, he sent me a text of a video Temple had made," said Levan on learning of the number switch. "It was one of those moments that you cannot express, how proud that you are having a son like him that would do that. Some guys would fight the stigma of being like your father where he embraces it."
Levan, who played two seasons at Temple (1994-95, 1995-96) after transferring from New Orleans, is a fixture behind the Owls' bench at every home game and many away games. The relationship is what every parent dreams of having, and one they both cherish.
"Words cannot express how you feel watching your son following in your footsteps, and wanting to follow in your footsteps," he said on their unique bond. "He is doing it at the same school I did it at, and he is doing so well. I am extremely proud of him and extremely proud of how hard he has worked to this point."
"It means so much, having him here supporting me," said Shizz. "He has always been there for me, and to share this Temple bond is something we both truly treasure."
When the two unite on center court Saturday during Temple's Senior Day ceremony, it will be a special moment.
"It is going to be a bittersweet moment," said Levan. "I love coming here and watching him play, and although I will not be able to watch him here anymore after Saturday, I am happy for Shizz. Hopefully he will get to continue his basketball career at a higher level somewhere."
That is a certainty, but all the son wants now is to end this legacy with more wins and a trip to the NCAAs.
Â
Especially when your father is larger than life in Philadelphia college basketball, winning two Big 5 Championships and playing on two NCAA Tournament teams in only two seasons. Then later playing professionally overseas.
Shizz Alston, Jr. knew that challenge coming in, but there was no place he would rather be than Temple University, playing for Fran Dunphy, Aaron McKie and for his father, Levan's, Temple Owls.
"I thought about other places, but he (Levan) was pretty adamant about Temple. I really did not have a choice at the end of the day, especially when Coach McKie got here," said Shizz. "In my heart I always knew I wanted to come to Temple. I used to come to at least 15 games a year growing up."
A four-star recruit at The Haverford School, Alston's career did not start off in storybook fashion. He recalls turning the ball over on his first play of his first college game, vs. #1 North Carolina, but rebounded to score 12 points in 15 minutes off the bench. That first year, he had growing pains, as most freshmen encounter, and ended the season averaging a mere two points and dishing just 19 assists over 31 games on a Temple team that would win the American Athletic Conference regular season championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Since that rookie season, Shizz has simply shizzled.  He has started in 95 consecutive games and arguably has been the team's most valuable player each season.  Now a team co-captain, the 6-4 point guard is having one of the best seasons ever by a Temple Owl.
Consider this:
- Â Set a new school record for consecutive games with a made three-pointers made (41 and counting).
- Â On pace to set records for single season (.909) and career (.885) free throw percentage. He already has the record for consecutive made (52 set last season).
- Became the eighth Temple player to dish 400 career assists.
- Will become the 11th player to score 600 points in a season, and has a chance to reach 700.
- Is tied for fifth on TU's single season list with 89 three-pointers made and could join Dionte Christmas as the only Owls to eclipse the century mark.
- Should break into the Top 10 list for assists in a season (152 and counting).
This magical year started with the son donning his father's #10 for the first time in his college career.
"It means a lot," said Shizz. "I get to put on the number that he wore and he's at every game so I know I'm making him proud."
To dad, it means even more.
"He actually did not tell me, he sent me a text of a video Temple had made," said Levan on learning of the number switch. "It was one of those moments that you cannot express, how proud that you are having a son like him that would do that. Some guys would fight the stigma of being like your father where he embraces it."
Levan, who played two seasons at Temple (1994-95, 1995-96) after transferring from New Orleans, is a fixture behind the Owls' bench at every home game and many away games. The relationship is what every parent dreams of having, and one they both cherish.
"Words cannot express how you feel watching your son following in your footsteps, and wanting to follow in your footsteps," he said on their unique bond. "He is doing it at the same school I did it at, and he is doing so well. I am extremely proud of him and extremely proud of how hard he has worked to this point."
"It means so much, having him here supporting me," said Shizz. "He has always been there for me, and to share this Temple bond is something we both truly treasure."
When the two unite on center court Saturday during Temple's Senior Day ceremony, it will be a special moment.
"It is going to be a bittersweet moment," said Levan. "I love coming here and watching him play, and although I will not be able to watch him here anymore after Saturday, I am happy for Shizz. Hopefully he will get to continue his basketball career at a higher level somewhere."
That is a certainty, but all the son wants now is to end this legacy with more wins and a trip to the NCAAs.
Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballEp. 17: Brian Thornburg, Executive Senior Associate AD for Development & NIL Strategy
Friday, October 31
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary: Allan Haye Mic’d Up
Friday, October 31
Ep.16: Temple Football's Evan Simon
Tuesday, October 28
Strip 1 - Coach Nikki Franke Classic '25 - Men's Saber - T4
Monday, October 27
