Buhler graduate signs to Pittsburg State University for basketball

PITTSBURG – Rather a lot has occurred throughout the yr after highschool for Max Alexander.

After quite a lot of thought earlier than graduating, the 2021 Buhler graduate determined to play basketball at Subsequent Degree Prep in Bel Aire. After a semester there, Alexander enrolled at Speights Academy in Florida. 

Earlier this week, Alexander introduced the most recent in his basketball journey.

The 2021 Hutchinson Information boys basketball participant of the yr introduced Monday he signed to play basketball at Pittsburg State College.

“An enormous thanks to my two trainers TJ Grant and Tony Romero,” Alexander stated in a his announcement on Twitter. “I would not be the participant I’m right this moment with out the 2 of you. I might additionally just like the thank my coaches: Ryan Swanson, Fridge Holman and Mo Speights for all the time believing in me to do issues even after I thought I could not. I’d additionally prefer to thank my household for all the time being there for me and aiding me in each means doable to achieve success as a person and as a basketball participant.”

Alexander’s journey was an adventurous one, transferring to Florida at the beginning of the yr to play with Speights Academy, which is coached by former NBA participant Mo Speights. Alexander was first recruited by Speights after Subsequent Degree Prep performed Speights Academy Oct. 20, 2021.

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In late December, Alexander took Speights up on a proposal to go play for his group in Florida. Alexander and his father, Todd Alexander, stated the departure from Subsequent Degree Prep was mutual, with gamers leaving after a semester and the uncertainty of not with the ability to kind a group. Subsequent Degree Prep coach Fridge Holman performed at Wichita State from 2002 to 2004.

“He really was for and inspired Max to go to Mo Speights (Academy) understanding that it was an entire different degree,” Todd Alexander stated. “It wasn’t a nasty transfer or a nasty switch. It was a very good state of affairs.”

Max Alexander loved the time down in Florida, dwelling in a group home whereas taking part in for the previous NBA champion. He stated it took slightly getting used to not being nervous being coached by an NBA participant. Now, he considers Speights an in depth good friend.

“Coming in, it was actually terrifying,” Alexander stated. “You are precisely the place you wish to be in life as a basketball participant, and he is gone by way of each single factor that you simply wish to undergo. Encountering him and being round him the primary time, initially it was scary. Simply form of scared to ask questions, however then as time went on, he actually needed (me) to speak to him about every little thing. He and I discuss each single day to today absolutely anything – nearly life, basketball, or something – as a result of he is been by way of all of it.”

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Speights was the sixteenth general decide within the 2006 NBA Draft out of Florida by the Philadelphia 76ers. He had spent two seasons with the Gators and was a part of the nationwide championship group in 2007 with different NBA gamers like Al Horford and Joakim Noah. He was coached by present Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan. 

This NBA star was a part of the 2015 NBA champion Golden State Warriors. After three seasons within the Bay Space, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2016, opted out after the season and signed with the Orlando Magic the next yr earlier than taking part in in China with the Guangzhou Loong Lions up till 2021. 

“He (Mo) reworked from any individual that I used to be petrified of to a coach to now considered one of my higher associates,” Alexander stated. “I am fortunate to have the ability to say that and have the ability to go to any individual who’s been by way of every little thing. Each single highway journey, we sat proper subsequent to one another and talked about basketball, talked about life, speaking no matter. He is a real, real individual and man. He is such a blessing to have him be round guidance-wise and basketball-wise.”

Pitt State has 4 gamers returning to their group subsequent season after an 8-20 season final yr. Alexander isn’t anxious about that although. He stated he desires to shock individuals with how good of a group Pitt State will be subsequent yr. He additionally thinks head coach Jeff Boschee can steer the ship in the proper course, coming into his first season with the Gorillas. 

Alexander’s maturity and bodily look has modified over the past yr. He hit the load room and added some muscle so he can take the hits that he’ll be taking with gamers greater than him.

With the step he is taking to Pittsburg, Alexander desires to be a frontrunner. He thinks Pitt State has already nice items and thinks they will discover success early.

“I do know I am succesful as a participant and an individual,” Alexander stated. “I do know I’ve the proper skillset and mindset to do it. I have been taking part in pick-up with the blokes (and) high-level gamers my whole life. So, I do know I am ready for it mentally and bodily. I understand how to form of put a program in your again and attempt to carry it in the proper means, and I do know I am going to have a bunch of horses round me to assist with me with.”

Billy Watson is the sports activities reporter for The Hutchinson Information and has been in Kansas since March 2021. To succeed in out about story concepts, you possibly can ship an e-mail to wwatson@gannett.com or ship a direct message on Twitter @hutchsports or @billywatson4l.