It's academic… Freeport basketball star exceeds in class and on the floor
All Alex Newkirk wants for his birthday is a district championship.
Newkirk, Freeport’s senior point guard, celebrated his 18th birthday Wednesday.
“It really makes me feel kind of old,” he said. “I can’t wait to go out and buy some scratch-off lotto tickets.”
The 5-foot-10 inch Newkirk has been playing basketball since he was little.
“I remember playing on the old Fisher Price basketball goals when I was really small,” he said. “I loved Shaquille O’Neal and every time I would dunk the ball I yelled Shaq Attack!”
Head Basketball Coach David Burke said that Newkirk is a joy to be around and that he gives 110 percent no matter what.
“He is just an outstanding player,” Burke said. “He plays his hardest no matter if you are ahead or behind. He is just out there to win.”
Assistant Coach Charlie Little said the Freeport basketball team runs what they call a “controlled chaos” offense and Newkirk fits perfectly into their system.
“He basically disrupts what the other team is trying to do,” Little said. “His play is crazy and it fits our style.”
In a Jan. 5 loss to Walton High School, Newkirk surpassed the 1,000 points scored mark for his career.
“I really do feel accomplished,” Newkirk said. “I just don’t know that I have words to describe it.”
“It’s unusual for a player to score 1,000 points as quick as he did,” Burke said.
While Newkirk may be a senior, he has only been playing on the Varsity team since about half-way through his sophomore year.
“You have to average about 10-12 points a game to reach that mark,” Little said, “and that is with playing less games than we used to.”
While basketball may be a big part of who he is, Newkirk realizes that academics are more important.
“Growing up my mom insisted that we used proper etiquette and pronunciation,” he said. “If we were going to speak, we had to speak with a purpose.”
In addition to his play on the court, Newkirk is a “very good” student in the classroom according to his coaches.
“Without a doubt he is one of the best kids in the entire school,” Burke said. “He has a 3.9 GPA.”
When Newkirk graduates, he would like to attend either Troy University or the University of Florida and study business or mathematics.
“He is just a great kid,” Burke said. “He is the kind of kid everyman would want their son to be like.”
When not playing basketball and studying, Newkirk is your typical teenager.
“I don’t have that much free time,” he said, “but when I do, I am usually working at the Under Armour store.”
He also loves playing Wii, hanging out with his friends and spending time with his family and girlfriend.
After his interview Newkirk wanted to make sure and tell his family, girlfriend and everyone that has supported him “that he loves them and thank you.”
