Tennessee State continues to reshape its roster through the transfer portal, adding another backcourt piece with the signing of guard Christian Alston.
The Tigers announced the addition of Alston, who arrives from Abilene Christian, as head coach Nolan Smith continues building depth and versatility heading into the upcoming season.
Alston brings Division I experience after spending his previous seasons with the Wildcats, where he appeared in 51 career games. While primarily used in a reserve role, he developed into a steady rotational guard capable of providing scoring bursts and energy off the bench.
Alston’s commitment to TSU is a return to his home state. The Bartlett, TN native scored over 1,000 points at Bartlett High School, helping to lead the team District 15-4A, state and sub-state championships in 2022 and 2024. He was the no.3 rated in Tennessee by 247 Sports and was a McDonald’s All-American nominee.
During the 2025–26 season, Alston played in 30 games and posted averages of 4.4 points and 1.8 rebounds, while showing flashes of offensive upside. One of his most notable performances came against Utah Valley, where he delivered a season-high 18 points, highlighting his ability to step into a scoring role when needed.
For Tennessee State, the addition of Alston is another calculated move aimed at strengthening guard depth and competition in the rotation. His experience in a structured Division I system gives the Tigers a reliable option in the backcourt as they continue to build continuity under the new coaching direction.
As Tennessee State leans into the portal era, additions like Alston reflect a focus on balance—mixing experienced contributors with developing talent to round out the roster.
With more moves still possible, the Tigers’ offseason roster construction remains active, but Alston becomes an early piece in what the staff hopes will be a deeper, more competitive squad.
