Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Q&A with Alex Johnson
12/7/2016 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sophomore seeks to build on double-double effort
Sophomore Alex Johnson is coming off her first career double-double, including a career-high 12 rebounds, in the Lady Raiders' 62-59 win against Tulane. Middle Tennessee follows that performance with a trip to No. 15 Kentucky Friday. Below is a Q&A with Johnson, the daughter of Jeff Johnson and Sondra Owens. Alex is originally from Murfreesboro, Tenn.
GBR.com: How did you get into playing basketball?
AJ: I started playing basketball when I was five years old. I grew up around it. My dad actually played all his life. He played overseas and he actually played here.
GBR.com: What is it like to play for your home town team?
AJ: It's an honor to play here. It's a great feeling knowing that everybody knows who you are in this town. That's the biggest thing for me, just coming here and walking around the community and people saying, 'hey, you're Alex Johnson!' I'm like, 'yeah, that's me!' It's pretty cool having people know you.
GBR.com: What is the biggest difference at this time last year as a freshman to now entering your sophomore year?
AJ: The biggest difference is knowing the system. I think coming in as a freshman for anybody, that's the hardest part — getting to know the system and getting what Coach Insell wants under your belt. Once you have that, it's just an everyday thing.
GBR.com: Do you see yourself having a leadership role mentoring the freshmen?
AJ: Yes, I love the role I have right now in helping them. Coming in last year and knowing how it was, it was just a year ago that I was in their shoes. I try to motivate them and lift them up when things get hard.
GBR.com: What have you been working on most in the offseason?
AJ: I would say my defense. Last year everybody knew I could score offensively, now it's time to step my game up and grow and a player and a person on both ends of the court.
GBR.com: How did you enjoy the trip to Costa Rica?
AJ: The Costa Rican trip was indescribable. You don't get to do that every day. Going down there and being able to experience the rain forest and stuff like that was really fun.
GBR.com: How have the exhibition games helped in preparing for the season?
AJ: The exhibition games were okay. It gave us a good sense of what our team looks like and what we need to improve on throughout the season.
GBR.com: What is your favorite memory as a Blue Raider?
AJ: I actually have two. Obviously winning the conference championship, and then when Bria (Edwards) hit the game-winning three against Rice.
GBR.com: How do you follow up being named C-USA Freshman of the Year?
AJ: I'm just taking it day-by-day. Whatever comes with the hard work I'm putting in and with my team. As long as my team is with me and we're doing what we need to do to come out with a win that's all that matters.
GBR.com: Being a biochemistry major, how hard is it to balance that with basketball, and what do you plan on pursing with that degree?
AJ: It's pretty rough being a biochemistry major. Recently I've looked into food nutrition. Either pre-pharmacy or food nutrition is what I'm going toward. Balancing it is about being focused and having the right mindset. If I don't, obviously it makes it more tough.
GBR.com: Do you have any hidden talents some people may not know about?
AJ: I can play the clarinet. I haven't played in a while, but I was in band in middle school.
GBR.com: Where is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
AJ: Other than being inside the gym, I would say I live and breathe the science building. I also enjoy being in the KUC and seeing different people and different faces.
GBR.com: What is your favorite emoji?
AJ: Probably the heart eyes.
GBR.com: Who is your celebrity crush?
AJ: I've always had a crush on Chris Brown. I think he is a very attractive guy.
GBR.com: Who is the best dancer on the team?
AJ: I would say Gabby Lyon or Kyla Allison. They both have their days.
Previously featured:
Kyla Allison
Shayla Middlebrooks
Charity Savage
Katie Collier
Jess Louro
Jordan Majors
GBR.com: How did you get into playing basketball?
AJ: I started playing basketball when I was five years old. I grew up around it. My dad actually played all his life. He played overseas and he actually played here.
GBR.com: What is it like to play for your home town team?
AJ: It's an honor to play here. It's a great feeling knowing that everybody knows who you are in this town. That's the biggest thing for me, just coming here and walking around the community and people saying, 'hey, you're Alex Johnson!' I'm like, 'yeah, that's me!' It's pretty cool having people know you.
GBR.com: What is the biggest difference at this time last year as a freshman to now entering your sophomore year?
AJ: The biggest difference is knowing the system. I think coming in as a freshman for anybody, that's the hardest part — getting to know the system and getting what Coach Insell wants under your belt. Once you have that, it's just an everyday thing.
GBR.com: Do you see yourself having a leadership role mentoring the freshmen?
AJ: Yes, I love the role I have right now in helping them. Coming in last year and knowing how it was, it was just a year ago that I was in their shoes. I try to motivate them and lift them up when things get hard.
GBR.com: What have you been working on most in the offseason?
AJ: I would say my defense. Last year everybody knew I could score offensively, now it's time to step my game up and grow and a player and a person on both ends of the court.
GBR.com: How did you enjoy the trip to Costa Rica?
AJ: The Costa Rican trip was indescribable. You don't get to do that every day. Going down there and being able to experience the rain forest and stuff like that was really fun.
GBR.com: How have the exhibition games helped in preparing for the season?
AJ: The exhibition games were okay. It gave us a good sense of what our team looks like and what we need to improve on throughout the season.
GBR.com: What is your favorite memory as a Blue Raider?
AJ: I actually have two. Obviously winning the conference championship, and then when Bria (Edwards) hit the game-winning three against Rice.
GBR.com: How do you follow up being named C-USA Freshman of the Year?
AJ: I'm just taking it day-by-day. Whatever comes with the hard work I'm putting in and with my team. As long as my team is with me and we're doing what we need to do to come out with a win that's all that matters.
GBR.com: Being a biochemistry major, how hard is it to balance that with basketball, and what do you plan on pursing with that degree?
AJ: It's pretty rough being a biochemistry major. Recently I've looked into food nutrition. Either pre-pharmacy or food nutrition is what I'm going toward. Balancing it is about being focused and having the right mindset. If I don't, obviously it makes it more tough.
GBR.com: Do you have any hidden talents some people may not know about?
AJ: I can play the clarinet. I haven't played in a while, but I was in band in middle school.
GBR.com: Where is your favorite place to hang out on campus?
AJ: Other than being inside the gym, I would say I live and breathe the science building. I also enjoy being in the KUC and seeing different people and different faces.
GBR.com: What is your favorite emoji?
AJ: Probably the heart eyes.
GBR.com: Who is your celebrity crush?
AJ: I've always had a crush on Chris Brown. I think he is a very attractive guy.
GBR.com: Who is the best dancer on the team?
AJ: I would say Gabby Lyon or Kyla Allison. They both have their days.
Previously featured:
Kyla Allison
Shayla Middlebrooks
Charity Savage
Katie Collier
Jess Louro
Jordan Majors
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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