Career
Born in Tipton, Indiana, he was a 6"3½" (192 cm) 190 lb (86 kg) guard and played collegiately at the University of North Carolina. Elston was selected with the 7th pick of the third round in the 1974 National Basketball Association Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He was also selected in the fourth round of the 1974 American Basketball Association draft by the Carolina Cougars.
He played for the Virginia Squires in 1974-1975, playing 72 games and averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
On August 18, 1976, the former American Bar Association"s Indiana Pacers signed Elston in their first move since their absorption into the National Basketball Association. In 1976-1977, Elston played 5 games for the Pacers, averaging 1.0 point, 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He was waived not long after.
Derek averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game as a Hoosier.
