TIM DUNCAN, CHRIS PAUL … ALEX SHARP!

Joining forces with the University that has helped build some of the world’s best basketballers and future hall of famers, in Tim Duncan and Chris Paul, Diamond Valley’s own Alex Sharp has committed to join Wake Forest University.

Accepting a full scholarship from Wake Forest in the Women’s Basketball program, Alex is the latest Eagle to set their sights on flying high in the U.S College system. An Eagles player and St Thomas Hawks junior, Alex has been exemplary of the Diamond Valley Basketball culture in every way – no fuss or ego, a high level of commitment, laser-like focus, humility despite her achievements, a willingness to be coached, and recognition of the importance of fundamentals as a separator - regardless of one’s height or athletic ability.

‘I’m so thrilled for Alex with this next step in her career. Having had the opportunity to coach her at both club and State level, the thing makes her so special and so uncommon has nothing to do with anything on-court. She is humble, hungry and hard working – and none of that has changed from when I worked with her in U16s to what you see today. She’s unchanged in that regard. Her preparation is unmatched at her age – the purposeful extra work, the diligent recovery and her time management, so she never misses a session and takes care of all responsibilities’, Alex’s former U16s Coach Mark Alabakov noted.

‘In the Vic Metro State team in 2012, she broke her hand and was forced to miss a large portion of the team sessions over a few weeks – but still attended every session and worked ball handling, passing against the wall and did one handed shooting on her own, without prompting, while the team trained. Not only that, but when the coach blew the whistle to give feedback – Alex would stop whatever she was doing and run over to within earshot, so as to never lose any message or detail that was being to delivered to the team. Her initiative and habits were, and still are, world class.’

Alex’s emergence also occurred under the watchful eye of then-Basketball Victoria State Director of Coaching, and now DVBA CEO Ross Wignell who oversaw Alex’s first State team berth where she was voted Vice Captain.

‘It’s great to see another one of our athletes land a scholarship with a very well-regarded U.S College in Wake Forest.  Away from the court, Alex has developed into a very well-mannered and polite young lady, and this is great reward for a player who has worked so hard on-court to be offered this opportunity. I’m very pleased for her’, Ross said. ‘Alex has performed exceptionally well in Australia and I have no doubt she will continue to improve her game in the U.S College system’.

Alex was on the radar of a number of colleges, prior to committing to Wake Forest, and had the difficult choice of having to select the right school for her.

‘I visited a couple of schools in April this year and all of the people I spoke to were great and it was hard to say no to some – but in the end the choice was easy. Wake Forest just connected with me – they’re small, private, it’s community based and it has a strong academic base which is really important to me. Wake Forest just had the whole package of everything that fit well for me’, Alex detailed.

‘Ever since I was young, I always had this dream to play college basketball. It’s crazy that I am going to get the chance to live that dream – I still can’t believe it ! I have to head over around July or August 2016 and I can’t wait to meet the team, make new friends, experience college life and represent the Demon Deacons on the court against some of the best athletes in the world. The Atlantic Coast Conference is renowned for the high level of competition. I can’t wait to get started’.

This past NCAA season, the Jen Hoover coached Wake Forest Demon Deacons recorded 13 wins and 20 losses, including a great win against Nationally-Ranked Syracuse University and 2 very close losses against ACC Powerhouse Duke University. The Demon Deacons also produced the number 6 selection in the 2015 WNBA draft - Dearica Hamby, who now plys her trade at the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Alex’s long time coach and mentor, Alan McAughtry said ‘Wake Forest did a tremendous job of recruiting Alex. Assistant Coach Gayle Coats-Fulks targeted a specific need for their program and Alex fit that need. They built a relationship with Alex and her family, and the academics, school size and playing Basketball in the ACC was very appealing to them. The Sharp family did their homework and Alex handled the entire process like a pro. The challenge now begins to send Alex off to Wake Forest in the right shape, skill set and frame of mind to start her life as a ‘Demon Deacon’.

As the achievements, opportunities and accolades come Alex’s way, her trademark humility is at the forefront throughout. ‘The important thing for me has always been to have balance in my life and make everything a priority at the right times – whether it be sport, school, family time or time with my friends. I think giving equal time to each of those has really helped my basketball career.’

‘I would like to thank my family for their support and everyone at Diamond Valley who has coached or helped me in the past to help me reach this next step. I really want to send the message to all juniors that Diamond Valley is a great place to grow and develop your game. The club has been fantastic to me and no matter where I am in the world, Diamond Valley will always be home to me no matter what.’

All of us at Diamond Valley Basketball Association congratulate Alex on gaining and accepting her scholarship, and we look forward to continuing to follow her career as she goes on to bigger and better things in the sport.




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