During the 2012/2013 season, MATC Stormers guard Alex Oldenburg brings a lot to the table with youth, determination, competitiveness, and a deadly three-point jumper. Oldenburg not only performs at a high level on the court, he also does very well in the classroom.
“He’s a great example of what we want our players to be about. He’s doing well in the classroom, he’s doing it on the court, and he’s a respectable young man,” said Randy Casey, athletic director/Stormers head coach.
Coach Casey also stated that Oldenburg, in his first semester at MATC, had maintained a 3.9 GPA and stayed focused on his education as much as playing basketball.
Oldenburg made the decision to attend MATC and was recruited by the Stormers by participating in open gyms, contacting Casey, and providing a bio and tapes from some of his old high school games.
Oldenburg plans to transfer to a four-year university after MATC, preferably a university in a southern state. Whichever university he wants to attend, they will receive a very good student, and a very valuable player.
Oldenburg first learned how to play basketball at a really young age. “I learned how to play basketball ever since I knew what a basketball was, basically for as long as I can remember,” said Oldenburg. He played for the basketball teams for his grade school, middle school, and high school. He inherited his skills from his father who also played basketball at his age. Along with basketball, Oldenburg also played soccer and tennis.
Like most of his teammates, Oldenburg grew up watching basketball and was inspired to play the game as well. The player who Oldenburg receives his inspiration to play basketball from is NBA All-Star Chris Paul.
Oldenburg often studies Paul’s movements on the court by watching some of his games on TV or YouTube and tries to recreate it on the court. What motivates Oldenburg is the competitive spirit the game brings.
Whenever his teammates want to play basketball, Oldenburg is one of the first guys ready to go. “I like playing with people who have the same attitude as me,” said Oldenburg. Oldenburg is also a good teammate and a good communicator.
Oldenburg is one of the younger players on the team. He often goes to his older teammates for advice and guidance during practice and game time.
His teammates also push Oldenburg to do his best on and off the court. He hangs out with some of his teammates outside of MATC to practice for big games, watching NBA games, and playing basketball just for fun. Oldenburg helps his teammates get better but they also help him become a better player. Like most of us, Oldenburg has his fair share of strengths and weaknesses.
Oldenburg’s key role on the team is coming off the bench and shooting three-point jumpers. He is one of the best three-point shooters on the team and a key bench player.
Oldenburg’s only weakness is that he lacks the confidence in his own abilities. “Alex is a guy that I’m not sure 100 percent yet knows the potential that he has. He’s a little hesitant sometimes in taking some shots,” said Casey.
Casey and the rest of the team often give Oldenburg advice to help him gain more confidence and take more shots than he does now.
Oldenburg is a very good student and player and brings a lot to the table. He has performed at a high level for the Stormers and in the classroom.
Oldenburg is still a young player and has time to grow and build on his current success. He also wants to build up his confidence in his shooting skills so he can make them with no problem.
Oldenburg has a lot going for him at this point and if he can keep up this intensity, he will become an even better student and basketball player than he is now.
(Photos by Thomas Spenner/Times)
Printed Version (MATC Times)
