Erin Grant & Lilyana Vasquez
Staff Writers
Men’s Basketball kicked off the season with a 91-86 victory against the NCAA DII National Champions, Minnesota State Mavericks, in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic hosted at Florida Southern College. Junior forward Alex Steen paved the way with an explosive performance that played a key role in FSC’s impressive victory.
In their first game of the season, Steen recorded his 17th double-double, ending the game with 27 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, as highlighted by the Florida Southern College Athletics website. He established the tone early in the first quarter, continuously testing Minnesota State’s defense with his scoring, while shutting down their offensive advances with blocks and rebounds. During the weekend, Steen led SSC players with seven blocks, finishing sixth in scoring and fifth in rebounds for the tournament. In recognition of his hard work and defensive skills, the 6’ 8” forward was named the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week, an honor he’s been awarded five times in his career.
Steen’s journey to success in basketball is a little different than other FSC players. His story starts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he originally played hockey, among other sports. After moving to Florida in eighth grade, he found his stride on the court, and quickly shifted his focus to basketball.
Basketball became a constant in Steen’s life, providing a challenge and lifetime camaraderie amongst his teammates. With every game, his passion and dedication to the sport has grown stronger. Today, Steen wears No. 25, a number with deep personal significance, to honor his late father’s influence on his game and his character.
“It’s a reminder of him every time I step out on the court,” Steen said.
Steen credits much of his performance to the relationships he’s made within the team. Steen continuously emphasized that his achievements wouldn’t be possible without the support of his teammates: “It’s not a 1v5 out there. It’s a team sport,” Steen said.
As a seasoned player nearing the end of his career, Steen shared that he is excited to see the previously developed chemistry grow even more with the team over the season. He noted that unity and cohesiveness is just as important as on-court presence.
“Those are my brothers, and when you build that bond outside of the court it definitely contributes to the court,” he said.
Looking ahead, Steen has set some ambitious goals for himself. In the off season, he’s dedicated lots of time to become a well rounded player, and improved his ability to stretch the floor. Ultimately, Steen just wants the team to build on the momentum of their first game.
“I would love to be an All-American this year … but I’d rather win a million games– win the conference– with this team if I had to choose,” he shared.
Fans who are eager to see what’s next for Steen and FSC’s men’s basketball team can find the schedule online. As Steen himself put it, his focus remains on the team’s success, but his relentless drive is sure to earn him even more individual accolades along the way.
