A teenage basketball player from Prince Edward Island is set to elevate her game and potentially her sports career as she prepares to attend university next year. Alex Newson has recently committed to enroll at the State University of New York at Albany, where she will be a part of the Albany Great Danes basketball team.
Newson’s participation on the court will mark a historic moment as she is believed to be the first basketball player from Prince Edward Island to compete in NCAA Division I basketball. Expressing her excitement, Newson stated that originating from a small province makes the achievement even more significant, hoping to inspire other basketball enthusiasts, especially girls in the region.
Having started playing basketball at the age of five, Newson’s dedication to the sport led her to make significant moves for her career. She relocated to Ontario before beginning grade 11 at King’s Christian Collegiate to engage in year-round basketball within one of the country’s top leagues.
Newson shared that her experience in Ontario competing against exceptional Division I and national team players, as well as traveling extensively for recruitment opportunities in the United States, fueled her ambition to advance her basketball journey further.
Earlier this year, Newson represented Team Prince Edward Island at the Canada Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she played for the provincial basketball team alongside her father, who coached the team and is a former Canada Games athlete.
Acknowledging the pivotal role her parents played in her success, Newson expressed gratitude for their unwavering support, mentioning her mother’s involvement in the college visit to Albany, where she felt confident about the coaching staff and campus environment.
Having made the decision to commit to the University at Albany, Newson emphasized the significance of the opportunity to play NCAA basketball, particularly as a Canadian athlete. She looks forward to commencing her biology studies at the university while focusing on enhancing her basketball skills.
Looking ahead, Newson aims to make a positive impact as a freshman team member, contribute to victories with her teammates, and continue honing her abilities. While considering various possibilities for her basketball future, she remains open to pursuing professional opportunities with the guidance of her coaches.
Before embarking on her basketball training at the University at Albany next summer, Newson intends to complete her grade 12 academic year. She views this milestone as a stepping stone towards realizing her aspirations within the competitive realm of NCAA basketball.