Canada’s Kayla Alexander has her No. 40 retired by Syracuse basketball

Canadian basketball player Kayla Alexander was honored by Syracuse University on Sunday as her No. 40 jersey was retired. The Milton, Ont. native, who is a two-time Olympian, became only the second women’s basketball player in Syracuse history to receive this prestigious recognition. The ceremony took place during halftime of Syracuse’s game against Notre Dame.

In an interview, Alexander expressed her disbelief at the honor, stating, “It’s still so surreal to me because in my head, I’ve always believed that people who get their jerseys in the rafters, like those are legendary people and to me, I’m just Kayla.” She went on to credit the support of her village of coaches from elementary school to Syracuse University for helping her achieve this milestone.

During her time at Syracuse from 2009 to 2013, Alexander left a lasting impact on the program. She holds the record for the most points (2,024), blocks (350), and field goals (736) in Syracuse women’s basketball history. In her senior season, Syracuse advanced to the NCAA women’s championship tournament, further solidifying her legacy at the university.

Following her collegiate career, Alexander was drafted eighth overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2013 WNBA draft. She currently plays professionally in Spain with Valencia. Additionally, Alexander has proudly represented Canada at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and is set to compete in the Paris Games this summer.

The retirement of her jersey at Syracuse University is a testament to Alexander’s remarkable achievements and contributions to the world of basketball. Her journey from a standout player at Syracuse to a successful professional athlete and Olympian is truly inspiring.