FLUSHING, N.Y. – A Queens College men's basketball champion is coming home! On Wednesday, April 1, Queens College Director of Athletics and Recreation
Rob Twible announced the hiring of
Chris Alesi as the 14th head coach in program history, ushering in a new era for the Knights.
Alesi brings a championship pedigree and a proven track record of success to Queens College, along with a reputation for developing disciplined, competitive teams.
"We are excited to welcome Chris back to Queens," Twible said in the announcement. "His connection to Queens as a former player on a championship team and his experience as a head coach makes Chris an ideal fit to lead our men's basketball program into its next chapter."
A well-known name in the New York tri-state area, Alesi arrives in Flushing following a brief stint at St. Rose High School in Belmar, New Jersey, and a successful six-year tenure at Division III Manhattanville University.
At Manhattanville, Alesi compiled an 80-57 record (.584 winning percentage), guiding the Valiants to four Skyline Conference postseason appearances, including two championship game appearances in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Under his leadership, Alesi developed standout talent across the program, including guiding senior Tommy Lotito to Conference Player of the Year honors, along with Skyline First Team, NABC All-District First Team, D3hoops.com All-Region First Team, and MBWA All-Met First Team recognition. Overall, Alesi and his staff helped produce six All-Conference selections, three All-Region honorees, and three All-District selections.
"I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Director of Athletics
Rob Twible and the entire search committee," Alesi said. "It is with great humility that I accept this appointment as the next Head Men's Basketball Coach at Queens College."
Alesi is no stranger to success in Flushing, having been a member of the 2001-02 Knights championship squad that captured the program's first-ever East Coast Conference title (formerly the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference).
"As a student-athlete, my two years at QC were the best two years of my life," Alesi added. "This is a true full circle moment for my family and me. I look forward to reconnecting with our alumni base, including my former teammates from the 2002 NYCAC Championship team. The future is bright in Fitzgerald Gym. Go Knights!"
Outside of the collegiate ranks, Alesi brings a deep and extensive coaching background across the New York AAU circuit. He served as head coach of the New Jersey Shoreshots 16U program while also working as an assistant coach with the 17U squad, helping develop some of the region's top young talent.
Alesi also led the New York Renaissance AAU 16U and 17U teams from 2015-18, continuing to build his reputation as a strong developer of players. Prior to that, he guided multiple New Heights Youth AAU programs, serving as head coach of the 16U team from 2013-14, the 15U team from 2012-13, and the 14U squad from 2011-12.
Alesi also spent time leading the Brooklyn Clippers AAU 17U team, serving as head coach from 2008-11 and returning to the role again in 2018, further solidifying his long-standing presence in the grassroots basketball scene.
In addition to his AAU experience, Alesi built his coaching résumé at the high school level as the assistant varsity basketball coach at his alma mater, Xaverian High School, from 2006-16, while also serving as the head freshmen coach from 2008-11. A standout player during his time at Xaverian, Alesi's impact on the program earned him induction into the school's athletic hall of fame, highlighting both his playing and coaching legacy.
