"We're both centers, so I think when she was at Syracuse [University] she was the leading shot blocker, leading rebounder, leading scorer of all time at Syracuse… I left Tennessee as the second-leading shot blocker, so I think that's something we both share. We play the same position, so there are some things that we share. She's definitely a way better scorer than I am at the moment, but I'm working on it."
The relationship between Kyle and Kayla has improved as the years have gone on and they stay in regular contact during the season. This year, with Alexander playing at Valencia, he should also get the chance to see his sister play when Bourges takes on Valencia in the EuroLeague Women on Tuesday, November 15. Two days later, Alexander and Valencia have a road trip to face Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the EuroLeague.
"We have a running joke where if I've played well, she'll play bad; if she's played well, I'll play bad," Alexander noted. Both of us can't have a good game on the same day [laughs]. But no, for sure we keep in touch and we keep updated with each other. She's going to be coming here this year, so I'll get to watch her play.
"As long as we leave don't leave early or anything [for Bologna], I think we should be here, so I'll get to watch her. I don't know if she'll get to watch me, though. I feel like every year she has a couple of days as a break, so maybe she can fly out to come and watch a game or something."
Away from basketball, Alexander provided an insight into the way in which he has become a lot closer with his sister, ranging from advice to general conversations and life experiences. He acknowledged that the age gap was more of a problem when he was younger, but with himself and Kayla both being adults now, there is a far healthier connection.
"Growing up, that's my older sister; she's almost like a second mom to me," he said. "I'm hiding things from her, keeping secrets, we don’t have a great relationship, there's a big age difference – she's a teenager, I'm a child; she's a woman, I'm a teenager. Now that we're both adults, our relationship has gotten so much stronger, going through things together, coming to each other for advice, being more comfortable being open together, and then now watching our careers progress together. For sure, we're getting closer every day.
"For the most part, if anybody is going to anybody for advice [in basketball], I'm going to her. She's so talented, she's so much more elevated in her field than I am yet, so I have a lot of respect for her, the work she's put in. She's a really talented player."
