Lawrence Alexander III: From Learner to Leader

By: Kavon Baptiste

Basketball wasn’t just a hobby; it was a sport that Lawerence Alexander III inherited. While growing up, his father played basketball, which is when his love of the sport first began to grow. Although he received the game early, it was his work ethic that shaped him most. At 6’0”, the standout PG/SG is stepping into this season with one mission: prove he’s more than a scorer — he’s a leader, a defender, and an all-around impact player built for big moments.

When first starting to play high school basketball, the game was a lot faster and stronger than what he was used to. Realizing this, he discovered that building a strong work ethic and moving with a purpose will help him succeed at this level. Alexander’s foundation was built during a pivotal freshman year at Manual High School (Peoria), where he played limited varsity minutes on a state-bound roster led by a Division I commit. Instead of being discouraged, he used it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

“ We went to the state, and our guard was a D1 commit. So I was just trying to learn from him. And I'm just going to use that in my game”.

His growth is fueled by a rigorous daily routine: an early-morning run before school, a full academic day, post-school lifting or conditioning, and then another run to close the night, reflecting a level of discipline rare for his age. 

Growing up, Alexander idolized Paul George and Kobe Bryant, the Mamba Mentality, and modeled elements of his game after George, blending skill with poise. Like his inspirations, he approaches every possession with purpose and a refusal to take shortcuts.

“ I’m trying to build up to that Mamba Mentality day by day.” 

In the Chicago All-American Showcase, Alexander had a lot to prove. He wanted coaches to see that he can have an impact not just by his incredible shooting but also by making an impact on both ends of the court.

“ I want to impact the game defensively and just like being a role model, being a leader, and talking on the court”.

Alexander's goals for his sophomore season are clear and measurable, and he wants to be All-Conference. But it’s the way he plans to get there that separates him. He’s targeting a balanced stat line — 15–17 points, 5–7 assists, and 2 steals per game — numbers that reflect a guard who controls pace, fuels teammates, and disrupts opponents on both ends of the floor.

Coaches and programs want players who play the right way and can make an impact for the team, and Alexander is looking to do that this season. 

“ Yeah, I play the game the right way. And I don't really care about the shots, I care about the team more.” 

A skill that Alexander had gained and learned is self-awareness. He understands that all players have the same purpose and want it as much as he does. Alexander openly acknowledges that he sometimes gets “stuck” or down on himself during games, and improving that composure is one of his biggest challenges this season. His focus is on staying poised, resetting quickly, and leading through adversity — the traits that turn talented guards into trusted ones.

“I think of another opponent — someone who wants it as much as I do. So how am I going to be different? That’s what sharpens me. I have to do better than them, and better for myself, too”.

Going into this upcoming season, Alexander feels determined and ready to prove why he and his team belong. 

“ I feel good. I think it will be way better than last year because we sharpened up a little bit and fixed the things we were messing up. It’ll be a big year for me because I get to play, and I get to show I can really do this.”