Keve Aluma

Keve Aluma (born December 31, 1998) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Niigata Albirex BB. He previously played for the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Wofford Terriers.

Keve Aluma
Aluma with Wofford in 2019
Free agent
PositionPower forward
Personal information
Born (1998-12-31) December 31, 1998
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolStephen Decatur
(Berlin, Maryland)
College
Career history
2022–2023Niigata Albirex
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× Second-team All-ACC (2021, 2022)

Early life and high school career

Aluma grew up playing soccer and did not play basketball until high school. He stood 6'7" as a freshman at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, Maryland.[1] Aluma was a three-year starter for Decatur, leading the team to two regional titles and a 3A state championship game appearance. He was named Bayside South Player of the Year in his senior season.[2] Aluma committed to playing college basketball for Wofford over offers from Loyola (Maryland), UTEP and UMBC, among others.[3]

College career

Aluma averaged 2.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a freshman at Wofford. He became a starter in his next season.[4] On January 3, 2019, Aluma matched his season-high 14 points and nine rebounds in a 112–81 win over The Citadel.[5] As a sophomore, he averaged 6.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.[6] Aluma transferred to Virginia Tech, where his previous coach Mike Young was hired, and sat out for one season due to transfer rules.[7]

On November 28, 2020, he posted 23 points and eight rebounds in an 81–73 overtime win over third-ranked Villanova.[8] On January 30, 2021, he recorded 29 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, leading his team to a 65–61 win over eighth-ranked Virginia.[9] In his following game, Aluma posted 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in an 83–72 loss to Pittsburgh.[10] As a redshirt junior, Aluma averaged 15.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, but ultimately returned for his senior season.[11] Aluma was again named to the Second Team All-ACC as a senior.[12]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Wofford 33313.3.566–.5713.4.5.2.42.5
2018–19 Wofford 353426.6.667.000.5746.81.0.7.96.9
2019–20 Virginia Tech Redshirt Redshirt
2020–21 Virginia Tech 222230.6.490.351.7227.92.2.71.315.2
Career 905922.7.556.345.6395.81.1.5.87.3

Personal life

His biological father, Peter Aluma, played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for part of one season. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Bethany and Bruce Copeland.[13]

References
  1. Robertson, Jimmy (November 29, 2020). "Keve Aluma: Finding his future". Radford News Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. Pollitt, Richard (November 27, 2020). "Stephen Decatur grad Keve Aluma impresses in Virginia Tech debut". The Daily Times. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. Northam, Mitchell (September 20, 2016). "Decatur's Keve Aluma commits to Wofford". The Daily Times. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  4. Pollitt, Richard (December 7, 2020). "Virginia Tech's Keve Aluma represents the Shore on the basketball court". The Daily Times. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  5. "Magee, Hoover lead hot-shooting Wofford past The Citadel". ESPN. Associated Press. January 3, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  6. McFarling, Aaron (December 2, 2020). "McFarling: Welcome to Aluma nation". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  7. Wood, Norm (May 6, 2019). "Keve Aluma transfers from Wofford to Hokies, reconnects with Young". Daily Press. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  8. Berman, Mark (November 28, 2020). "Virginia Tech upsets No. 3 Villanova in overtime, just days after scheduling game". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  9. "Aluma scores career-high 29, Hokies rally to defeat Virginia 65-51". Virginia Tech Athletics. January 30, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  10. "Aluma's 30 points not enough in setback at Pitt". Virginia Tech Athletics. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  11. Berman, Mark (June 24, 2021). "Keve Aluma says returning to Virginia Tech a 'pretty simple' decision". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  12. "ACC Unveils 2021-22 Men's Basketball Awards" (Press release). Atlantic Coast Conference. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  13. Barber, Mike (July 9, 2020). "Virginia Tech's Keve Aluma always had basketball in his blood". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
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