Recruiting Report: Austin Alexander (2018)
Last week, Atlantic 6-foot-6 guard Austin Alexander — Iowa’s 18th-ranked 2018 — became unavailable.
And though he had Division II schools hot on his trail, and rightfully so, it was in-state NAIA program, Northwestern, which was able to nab him.
Like we’ve seen with so many other college decisions, it was the longstanding relationship with the coaching staff that led to the somewhat early commitment.
Also, it’s tough to ignore your gut.
“When I committed, I was up there on a visit, my dad and I were up there, we were just going to check things out one last time. And I just had that gut feeling, I just felt like things were right,” said Alexander.
“And I would say the biggest reason was because of the relationship I’ve built with the coaching staff there over the last two or three years.”
He added: “I’ve been talking to the head coach there since I was a freshman, and I just had a strong relationship with him and his staff, and that’s something I really didn’t have with anyone else.”
The tall and versatile guard spent his spring and summer playing with Kingdom Hoops Elite I, one of Iowa’s most talented grassroots teams.
“In the summer season I started to show more of my versatility and how I could score at all three levels,” Alexander said. “And I think being a 6-foot-6 guard brought a lot of coaches to my attention.”
In addition to Northwestern, Briar Cliff and Dordt had offered, and D2 programs were showing interest, like Southwest Minnesota State, Nebraska-Kearney and Sioux Falls.
But Alexander, despite having the prospect of D2 offers coming his way, said it wasn’t the level, but the fit that was most important for him.
“I would have been willing to wait for a D2 offer, but just because I had this gut feeling and the relationship I had built with the staff and players just won me over I guess,” he said.
“Another big reason I committed was because they told me I’d have a chance to come in as a freshman and make an impact right away.”
But before he makes an impact with Coach Kris Korver and the Red Raiders, he’ll have a shot at being one of the state’s best players on what could be one of 3A’s best teams.
“I know that my team here in Atlantic has a good shot of making it back to the state tournament, and that’s one of the biggest reasons why I committed so early as well,” said Alexander.
“I know that when it comes down to it, it’s going to come down to my team, and I want to be able to play loosely and not have the added pressure of having to impress any college coaches.”