Trey Alexander couldn’t comprise his pleasure whereas he was standing close to the Tunnel of the Chesapeake Vitality Enviornment.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s native had simply regarded OKC beat Memphis in match 7 of the semi-finals of the Western 2011 convention. And thanks to his cousin, Grizzlies Guard Mike ConleyWe gave him post-match entry to take images with the gamers.
Who understood Russell WestbrookWho wore denims and a checkered buttoned shirt whereas taking a photograph with Alexander. However he may even have carried a cape.
“It is Mr. Oklahoma,” stated Alexander Oklahoman. “It simply meant the world for me. I used to be actually younger on the time, and these guys (OKC) have been every little thing for me. As, they have been superheroes.”
Alexander wore an outsized Thunder t-shirt that reached his knees on this picture, however he was carrying one thing completely different in his latest return to Oklahoma Metropolis.
Alexander wore a Denver jersey, and the 21 -year -old recruit tailored alongside Westbrook for a pair of video games on the highway in opposition to Okc.
The Nuggets divided the 2 video games, and the one time of enjoying Alexander got here within the final 73 seconds of a 127-103 Loss. However it was at all times a second in a full circle for Oklahoman for all times, who’s now a teammates with certainly one of his childhood heroes.
“Having the ability to have a look at this picture now, it was actually a blessing how far I got here,” stated Alexander. “And Russ continues to be within the League doing what he does. It was cool, my brother … It was a terrific expertise to go residence.”
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Alexander grew up round Thunder basketball.
He was 5 years previous when OKC got here to the city of Seattle in 2008. And he spent numerous time to video games whereas his uncle, Xavierperformed for the 2011-15 Thunder League staff.
OKC additionally grew up as a staff throughout this era. The Thunder reached the 2012 NBA closing, and he took the league along with his younger Westbrook core, Kevin throughout And James Harden.
“They have been guys, my brother,” stated Alexander. “It was the primary time that there was an actual gentle in sport in Oklahoma Metropolis. … It was the golden age for Oklahoma Metropolis basketball. I used to be nonetheless within the metropolis heart watching the video games (Xavier) or Thunder matches.”
Alexander began enjoying basketball on the age of 6, and he had many relations who helped form his sport.
He discovered of the significance of his father’s protection, Steve, who received two state titles on the Midwest Metropolis Excessive College in 1998 and 2000. He discovered alternative ways to go to the Xavier basket. He polished his sweater due to his different uncle, Angelowho performed for or and Make the Thunder’s 2009 summer time league staff.
Alexander had a full match when he began his profession on the Lycée at Heritage Corridor. The 6 -foot 4 -inch goalkeeper led the masses to a 2018 class 4A state championship, and ESPN ranked it like participant No. 57 within the 2021 recruitment class.
Alexander initially engaged in AuburnHowever he lastly I selected to start out his college profession in Creighton. It was an excellent adjustment for the promising goalkeeper, who set the league search.
“It was simply an NBA sport sport with free circulate,” stated Alexander about Creighton. “They drew numerous 3, performed in transition and performed a lot of my sturdy costumes. It was a kind of issues the place I wished to play my sport and play in an offense type that I knew I’d play within the NBA.”
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Alexander spent three seasons with Creighton, and he helped this system to achieve the Eight Eight of the NCAA 2023 match. He declared for the draft of the NBA 2024, the place he was not chosen.
However Alexander signed a two -way contract with Denver on July 9, and he shone throughout his 5 appearances in the summertime championship. It collected on common 17.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds and a pair of.8 assists on 47.8% Deep capturing.
“That is certainly one of his biggest achievements,” stated Alexander’s mom, Pamela, stated Oklahoman. “After they say that it requires onerous work and dedication (to achieve the NBA), it actually takes work and dedication. It’s important to eat, sleep and breathe basketball. Trey did this from an early age.”
Denver then signed Westbrook for a one -year contract on July 29.
And when Alexander spoke to the 36 -year guard of their first interplay in 2011, they immediately linked. Westbrook even had Alexandre by his facet when he spoke to journalists after coaching on November 14.
It was “media coaching” for his recruit teammate, in response to Westbrook.
“Me and Trey put a photograph collectively,” stated Westbrook with a smile. “It is loopy. It is a loopy picture. Okc. That is how we join there. Me and my boy Trey Day.”
Alexander has proven glimpses of its potential with the Denver League G subsidiary, The Grand Rapids Gold.
The recruit fills the statistics sheet with averages of 25.9 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.5 interceptions in 20 video games. It additionally attracts 42.8% out of seven.3 makes an attempt per sport.
And at any time when Alexander is known as by Denver, he makes positive to be taught as a lot as he can from Westbrook.
“Now we’re actually cool,” stated Alexander. “He’s a kind of guys who just isn’t going to chew his tongue for something or anybody. … It can occur to you, however on the finish of the day, you realize that he has love for you. He simply needs to see you’re the finest model of your self, and that is how he framed me.”
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The alternatives within the NBA have been tough to win for Alexander in a staff from Denver in competitors for a championship. It has a mean level and 0.4 assists in 4.3 minutes all through 20 appearances.
However Alexander doesn’t depend his enjoying time. What actually issues is a chance to characterize Oklahoma Metropolis, similar to Westbrook and the opposite legends of the Thunder.
Alexander is proud to be an inspiration for kids at residence. And who is aware of? They might find yourself being his teammate in the future.
“Everybody will at all times know the place I come from,” stated Alexander. “We’re not many people who come out of Oklahoma Metropolis. There was little or no, however there are a couple of guys now on the massive stage. For me to be on this place is large.
“All luck I’ve, I attempt to give again. And any probability that I can have a day for kids, I do it too.”
Extra: With confidence with confidence, Trey Alexander de Creighton returns to face the state of Oklahoma
This text initially appeared on Oklahoman: It is “a blessing” for Trey Alexander to play with Russell Westbrook
