In our fifth edition of ‘Eagles Abroad’ we were able to get the opportunity to chat with Alex Sharp after finishing her first year at Wake Forest University. Not only has she finished her first year with Wake Forest University, she performed exceptionally and she was rewarded by being selected in the ACC All-Freshman team. To add to her successful start to her new chapter she has also been selected to represent Australia in the 2017 Emerging Opals Women’s Team, who will be playing in the World University Games which will be held in Taiwan.

1. How did you and your team perform this past season?

We ended with an even record and went to the second round post season WNIT.

 

2. How are you going with managing your workload of both basketball and school? What is your average day scheduled like?

The hardest part of college is probably the time management side of things. Because I spent two years at the institute I'd already had a lot of practice with this type of thing, but even then the daily schedule was intense. On any given day you could have weights in the morning before class, then practice after class till around dinner time and tutoring straight after that, so you don't get any time to procrastinate that's for sure.

 

3. What are the facilities like at your college? How do they compare to back home in Australia?

The facilities at Wake Forest are amazing, not only in terms of the sporting and practice arenas, but also just the university in general. The environment gives you everything you could possibly need to become a successful student and athlete. It's such a different world to back here in Australia. When you're in season you go from venue to venue playing in these giant sporting arenas that we just don't have back here! It's always cool to walk out onto courts like that, but then again at the end of the day a court is a court!

 

4. What have you missed the most while you were at college?

Australian food, family and friends of course.

 

5. What is the atmosphere like during games? The crowd? The stadiums?

It's pretty cool especially when we play away games against some big schools. Playing against duke on coach K's court was an insane atmosphere, and same for Notre dame! There's just such a big fan base who come out to support the college teams. 

 

6. Have you got any advice for young players who dream to go to college?

Work hard on court and in the classroom and use all the great resources we have at diamond valley to your advantage. We have some of the best and most experienced coaches in the country right here, so make the most of it and don't be afraid to ask questions

 

7. What was the best game you were part of this season?

I'd say the game we played against NC State on their court in the 'play for kay' pink ribbon showcase game. It's where the tradition started, and we were able to beat the ranked NC state team in front of their sell-out crowd. It was the best team game we had all season! 

 

8. What plans have you got for the offseason?

In the off season I plan to keep working on my game and on court and in the gym. It's a time that I want to use to prepare for the World Uni games and my next season as a Deac. 

 

Great work Alex and we wish you the best of luck in both the World University Games and your future at Wake Forest University. We will be sharing live stats from the World University Games so we can support our Eagles!

Stay tuned to see who will be the next college athlete we will be talking to....