Alexis Jones Finds Familiar Territory In New Surroundings

May 28, 2009 - Colorado Springs, Colo.

A 5-9 freshman from Irving MacArthur High School in Texas, Alexis Jones admitted she was excited and scared when she arrived Thursday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the start of the 2009 USA Basketball Women's U16 National Team Trials. Excited to wear U-S-A across her chest and compete as one of the nation's 34 best 16-and-under athletes, and scared because there is only room for 12 on the USA roster that will compete in the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Women (site and date TBD).

Don't expect Jones, however, to shrink from the challenge. As a freshman in 2008-09, she started in all 39 games played and averaged 13.0 ppg., 7.0 apg., 7.0 rpg. and 5.2 spg. to help MacArthur to a 35-4 record, a city championship and the state regional semifinals. She was named the District 7 Newcomer of the Year and to the all-district first team, despite being just 14 years old at the time.

Having turned 15 years old just a few weeks ago, however, Jones said she is ready for the challenges she expects to face at trials. She talked with USA Basketball.com about the altitude, the honor and her first session.

How was your trip to Colorado Springs?
The trip was good. It is just amazing that I am out here. I really want to make this team. It's amazing to be here, and I'm just in the ninth grade. I'm excited and scared. I'm both, really. I'm all checked in. The dorms are pretty nice. They are nicer than when you go to a college camp or something.

How did you prepare before you arrived?
I did a two-a-day workout for a few weeks. Then this past week I lifted weights on Monday, shot a whole lot on Tuesday and then just rested the whole day on Wednesday. I feel prepared. Everybody warned me about the altitude, talking about how hard it is to breathe and that I'm going to be tired. I just hope I'm ready for it.

How many girls here do you know?
I know two girls. It feels good to know a few people. I hope we all three make the team -- that would be awesome.

How do you think you played in the first session?
I wouldn't say it was tiring. It was just hard to breath. I think I played OK. I can do better. I think I'm adjusted to the altitude now, and that will help me tomorrow.

Any pressure off your shoulders now that the first session is over?
There is always going to be pressure at these trials because all the girls here are good, and everbody's going to be trying to beat you. There is pressure still, but you just have to play hard.

What are you going to try and bring to the USA team?
Leadership and teamwork. I will try to use my skills to get my teammates open, make good passes, improve others' games as much as I can and win.

Where do you rank being named a trials participant for the U16 National Team among your accomplishments?
It's at the top of the list because it says you have a good enough game that you got invited to try out. Through this, I can improve my game and get some name recognition, so it's a good experience.

What are you most excited for as far as competing in the trials?
Just competing and seeing the other girls that are trying out. It will be very interesting to see what it feels like to try out for an Olympic team.

What is the most important thing you have learned about basketball?
Keep your girl in front of you on defense.

Are you playing AAU? How's it going?
It's going good, it just got started. It's way more competitive than high school, and I get much better. I like playing high school as well, but AAU is very competitive and much more challenging, so I feel my game benefits more from it.

What are you working on in your game right now?
Right now I'm working on my jump shot and defense. I'm really just trying to improve my ability to knock down on the shot.

Have you started weight lifting?
Yes, I lift weights in and out of school.

What do you do to have fun off the court?
Hang out with my friends.

What are your summer plans?
We may go to six flags every once in a while.

What is your favorite basketball experience?
Playing against my 7-foot uncle, Andrae Patterson. He has taught me how to shoot over the defense and how to get by a defender. I play with him a lot, and it really helps my game.

*Patterson played for USA Basketball in the 1997 FIBA U21 World Championship, where the USA finished 6-2 in fifth place and at the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival for the gold medal winning, 3-1 South Team.

Did your uncle give you any advice?
He told me that when I got here, the air was going to be really bad when I got up and down the court. He told me I was really going to be sucking wind and that I had to try and push through, which I tried to do tonight. I'm just trying to stay up in there and play hard.