Jan. 27, 2012

By Dan Ryan
B-CUAthletics.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - After leading the Bethune-Cookman University men's basketball programs to its first winning seasons in Division I, former standout Alexander Starling is continuing to create a new path by becoming the first Wildcats to professional Australian Rules Football after signing with the Sydney Swans of the Australian Football League (AFL).

Starling, 22, signed with the Australian team as part of the AFL's International Scholarship Scheme, which will allow him to finish his degree at B-CU and train with the Swans in preparation to play in Sydney as an International Rookie in 2013.

He attended the Swans' two-day mini draft assessment camp in California last June and since has made several trips to Australia as part of a program to develop international talent for the sport.

"When I first saw footage of the game, I saw myself playing it," Starling said. "With the physical situation of the game and my stature, I saw it as unique challenge I wanted to take advantage of. I saw more benefits to give this sport a go rather than play basketball overseas."

Starling appreciates the fact he's making a bit of history as the first B-CU player and African-American to play the sport professionally and just the second American overall.

"That's one of the things I looked at," Starling said.

His work ethic and potential stood out during the tryouts, according to QBE Sydney Swans Academy Head Coach Paul Roos.

"We saw an amazing athlete with great speed, great hands and an incredible capacity to learn a new game," Roos said. "Of course we understand Alex has a lot of work to do but certainly he has the right attitude to attack this enormous challenge."

Kinnear Beatson, who heads the Swans' recruiting team was excited to discover a player with Starling's qualities.

"We believe Alex has the physical attributes required by the modern AFL key position player, which are difficult to find via the National Draft,'' Beatson said. "He displayed the ability to grasp the skills of our game, particularly soft hands in marking contests and the capacity to weight his kicks. We are excited about his potential and what the future holds for Alex. He showed in his time with us last year that he also has a fierce desire to succeed.''

Starling played a major role in B-CU's ascent to the upper level of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference during his three-year playing career, finishing seventh on the all-time rebounding list with 681. The Wildcats enjoyed a winning season each year he played.

He closed his career by helping lead the Wildcats to their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season championship, 21 Division I wins and a berth in the National Invitational Tournament. In his final home game against archrival Florida A&M, Starling stole an inbound pass and hit a bank shot with 1.3 seconds remaining in overtime for a 73-71 victory.

"Alex was a key to our success the past three seasons," said B-CU Acting Men's Basketball Coach Gravelle Craig. "Not only did he possess the physical attributes needed to be a great player, but he also has strong character, leadership and drive. If you have those, it's just a matter of learning how to play the game at a high level and I have no doubt Alex will do that in Australia."