Senior Kendall Alexander has worked hard throughout her basketball career to reach the level of talent she exhibits today. Alexander has recently committed to play at the University of North Carolina Central.
Alexander began playing basketball and soccer in elementary school. She grew a passion for both sports and continued on to higher level teams for both as time went on.
“When I was younger people often told me I wasn’t tall enough or good enough to succeed at the next level in basketball which hurt my confidence,” Alexander said.
Alexander continued to play basketball but the discouragement of people telling her she wasn’t tall enough or good enough to succeed to the next level in basketball pushed her to focus on soccer. As Alexander reached middle school, she was torn between the sports, ultimately picking soccer.
“I loved soccer more, I had dreamed of playing in college so I put all of my focus into it. I traveled to tournaments, talked to coaches and planned my future around soccer,” Alexander said.
Alexander continued to play basketball as her second sport, staying in shape during the soccer offseason and keeping up with her skills. She focused her time on soccer for many years of her younger life, keeping basketball as a secondary option.
In her freshman year of high school, she tried out for the WJ soccer team, making it onto JV and playing a great season. Coming into the winter season she tried out for basketball, earning a spot on the varsity team as a freshman. Alexander proved her abilities in basketball, revealing lots of potential. She continued to play JV soccer in the fall of her sophomore year, and varsity basketball again in the winter.
During Alexander’s sophomore year of high school, she experienced an important change. Her passion and love for soccer began to fade and she lost the determination and desire to play soccer in college. However, she proceeded to play on the WJ soccer and basketball teams in their respective seasons.
“My love for basketball never went away. My coaches and parents started to point out my potential and told me I could be great if I gave basketball a real chance,” Alexander said.
This was the turn in her athletic career, switching her desire from soccer to working hard on club and school teams for basketball. Alexander attributes lots of her success to those who pushed her and showed their belief and support.
“My parents always believed in me and when my new coaches began to tell me the same and showed me I was good enough, I grew the confidence to try,” Alexander said. “I decided to focus on basketball and see how far I could go.”
Along with the support from her friends and family she also gives them support. Many of Alexander’s teammates value her skills and help she has to offer them.
“Kendall is a great teammate, always pushing me and others to their full potential. She’s funny but at times when necessary she knows how to lock in. Everyone would be lucky to have Kendall as a teammate and role model,” sophomore Mira Mann said.
Alexander entered her junior year with more skill, commitment and support for basketball passion. She proved herself on WJ’s varsity team and on the AAU club team 1life1shot. She reached out to coaches throughout her junior year after the winter season.
“I started to hear back from many coaches. After a few weeks, I received my first offer to play Division I basketball. I was excited but I didn’t rush to commit because I wanted to weigh my options and make sure I was making the right choice,” Alexander said.
After talking to the coaches and touring the schools, she took the opportunity she was presented with to continue her academic and athletic career at NC Central.
“It’s great seeing Kendall commit because of all the hard work and time she’s put into the process. I’m very excited to see what she accomplishes moving forward in college,” senior Ella Hoban said.
Alexander acknowledges that she didn’t achieve her goals alone.
“I’m so grateful for the people who believed in me,” Alexander said. “If it weren’t for their encouragement and support I wouldn’t be where I am today. They helped me find the confidence to chase a dream I didn’t even know I had, and for that, I’ll always be thankful.”
