Alvin D. Loving IV Is a Salesian Mainstay

Alvin D. Loving IV is refined and graceful on the basketball court as his full name implies. But that doesn't mean the 2025 class 6-foot-4, 200 pound, Salesian Prep and Team Lillard backcourter won't seize an opportunity to smite his opponent whether it be by nailing a dagger trey or creating opportunities for himself as well as his teammates utilizing his attack-the-basket savvy.

"My shooting ability is among my best skills," Loving explained. "I'm known as a shooter. I have a good hoops IQ which is displayed in my decision-making. I'll go by opponents if they get up on me. The insights I've gathered from my various coaches and trainers has allowed me to know what I needed to do come high school." He thoroughly understands that "leadership takes place on and off the court."

Loving credits his father as his strongest influence. "My Dad is the reason I got to basketball. He wanted me and my sisters to play sports and we would go to the park and work on my game. I played a year or two of football when I was really young" but that was before basketball won his allegiance.

Regarding his likely position at the next level, Loving noted that "TJ Taylor, my Team Lillard AAU coach, had me playing at the point for the team at the beginning of last summer to take advantage of my size and strength." But he's generally positioned as a two and a three for Salesian as 6-foot-3 senior Hawaii commit Aaron Hunkin-Claytor handles the point now along with 5-foot-10 point teammate Isaiah Davis.

As for a best basketball moment, Loving offered, "the play of our team in the most recent Gridley tournament showed us how capable we were. From that one tournament, we learned the right mindset to have."

Academically, Loving sports a 3.86 cumulative grade point average. "We have study halls at school and all of the players work hard to stay on top of our grades. My parents are really supportive too and willing to help me out when I need it."

As for a major at the next level, "I'm good at everything in school so it's hard to decide but I've been thinking about computer science."

Salesian finished last season at 26-9, 10-0 in league play. Even further success looks to be on the horizon, having not lost any key talents and the usual personal improvement expected from multiple returnees.