Senior guard Alex Rouse started playing basketball at around 6 years old with her dad and her brother.

Since then, the Little Rock, Arkansas, native made a name for herself at Joe T. Robinson High School. Rouse finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer with more than 2,000 career points.

After high school, Rouse committed to Old Dominion University because she had a good relationship with the coach. She graduated during the COVID-19 year, so she didn’t get to see much on campus but from what she saw online, it was the right choice. 

She later transferred to Bradley University and played two seasons before making her decision to play her senior year at Eastern. 

Through this season, Rouse is averaging 7.8 points per game as she also recorded a total of 38 assists, 39 steals and five blocks. 

In this Q&A, Rouse discusses her transferring from her first two schools, why Michael Jordan is the G.O.A.T and what she plans to do with her major. 

Q: When did you first start playing basketball?

A: “At probably 6 years old. I used to play outside with my dad and my brother.” 

Q: Why did you initially choose to play at your first school Old Dominion?

A: “I had a good relationship with the coach, and it was a COVID-19 year, so I didn’t really get to see the campus, but based on the online stuff I liked it and just felt like a good fit.”

Q: You also played two seasons at Bradley University. Why Bradley?

A: “That was the best choice for me at that time coming off my first year at Old Dominion, so Bradley was the best choice. I left because we weren’t really winning as much as I would like to have won, and it kind of hurt a little bit so I wanted something new for my senior year.”

Q: Why did you choose to play at Eastern?

A: “I trust coach Marqus [McGlothan], and the whole team they’re really cool, fun and they have a winning culture here so I wanted to come be a part of that.”

Q: Who on the team are you giving the aux to?

A: “KD [Kennedy Davis], Tiny [Lewis] and Sydney-James [Desroches].”

Q: Who are your top five music artists?”

A: “Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, H-Town, Mint Condition and Summer Walker.”

Q: Pancakes or Waffles

A: “Pancakes.”

Q: Do you put anything on your pancakes?”

A: “Just syrup. I don’t like butter.”

Q: Who is the G.O.A.T in basketball? 

A: “Michael Jordan.”

Q: Why do you say Michael Jordan?

A: “Because he had to play with way more physical people, and he was dunking from the free throw line and shooting threes. He’s the G.O.A.T.”

Q: Do you watch the WNBA or the NBA more?

A: “WNBA.”

Q: What is your favorite team?

A: “It was the Aces, but one of their players got traded. That’s a horrible trade. Like I mean not a horrible trade, but why would you now y’all chemistry is going to be off.”

Q: If you weren’t playing basketball what sport would you play?

A: “Well if girls could play football, I would play football, but since we can’t I’d probably play like volleyball or something like that.”

Q: Do you think the Earth is round or flat?

A: “Round.”

Q: What is your favorite memory with the team thus far?

A: “Probably going to the lake this summer. Our coach took us to the lake. Everybody’s out there swimming and making fun of people that couldn’t swim. Yeah, that was fun.”

Q: Would you rather airball a three-pointer or miss a lay up?

A: “Airball a three-pointer. I have done that a few times so I’ll keep it like that. I don’t want to miss a layup.”

Q: Who’s the funniest person on the team?

A: “The same three. KD, Tiny and Sydney.”

Q: If you had a walkout song what would it be?

A: “’Many Men’ by 50 Cent.”

Q: What is your post game meal?

A: “We usually get Dirty’s, and I get the fried fish tacos.”

Q: What is your major?

A: “Organizational development. It’s under a business major, but since I transferred I couldn’t take exactly business so I took that.”

Q: What do you plan to do with your major?

A: “I’m not really sure but I kind of want to be a personal trainer after school whether it’s basketball and like weightlifting.”

Q: How has playing college basketball influenced your future career plans?

A: “Well I had a personal trainer, and they really helped me change my game a lot and change my mentality. I want to be able to do that for other kids.”

Q: How do you prepare mentally and physically for a big game?

A: “Well I pray at least like three times when I wake up, I pray for the game etc. Sometimes I go back and forth listening to slow music and hype music and then slow. And I usually meditate a little bit and do breathing exercises.”

Q: What advice would you give to young girls aspiring to play basketball at the collegiate level?

A: “Know your worth and believe in the work that you’ve put in and that you’re good enough.”

Q: What would you tell your younger self?

A: “Probably the same thing. Know your worth, and all the work you put in is gonna pay off eventually.”

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.