Communication is Key for Family-Oriented Freshman

Leggett Embraces Team Chemistry, Underdog Mentality as Mustangs Prepare for Play

By: Victoria White

Laced up shoes squeak on the polished court as players run through intense practice drills, swiftly cutting to the hoop. In these moments, when team chemistry glides like whirring basketballs slicing through the air, incoming freshman Alexis Leggett sees spurts of greatness.

The 6-3, fast forward hails from Ariton, Alabama, a countryside community with a population of 741, according to the 2016 U.S. Census Bureau. Ariton High School, where she earned All-Region, Offensive and Defensive MVP honors for the Purple Cats, is a long way from the Dallas cityscape that 1.318 million people call home.

However, the self-described small-town girl with a big heart is excited to be playing basketball in Dallas. She's also excited to prove some people wrong.

"I'm excited because first of all, it's a new group, new faces," Leggett said. "We are also considered the underdogs, so it's kind of interesting how this outcome of being the underdog is going to be for the upcoming season."

She doesn't shy away from the challenge. In fact, she even likes being the underdog and the euphoria of eclipsing opponents' expectations.

"That means the people who are big dogs, they don't see it coming," Leggett said. "We can knock them down and be on top."

Before joining the Mustangs, she was rated as the No. 38 high school post player in the 2018 recruiting class by ESPN. Averaging 10 points and 15 rebounds a game, she brings high energy to defense, and a strong rebounding and shot blocking presence to SMU's squad.

Leggett committed to SMU for the university's athletic and academic opportunities.

"SMU has so many opportunities, great opportunities, to benefit you on and off the court," Leggett said. "You can develop personality skills. You can develop connections, and that can help you in the long-run and build a career."

When she gets older, her aspirations include owning her own cosmetic line. Right now, she is saving up money to build her business.

"Not only [was SMU] a good basketball program, they were rated really well in academics, and that would help contribute to my dream," she said.

Although Leggett is eagerly anticipating her freshman year, the hardest part about going from high school to college for her is being over 700 miles from home.

"I'm a homebody," Leggett said. "When I first came here, I told everybody specifically the biggest adjustment for me period, was me missing home and my family."

But, Leggett has embraced the Mustangs family with open arms.

"SMU is a family because basically we all have each other's back," Leggett said. "We all are there for each other. We lift each other up. When one of us falls down, someone's there to pick us up. We all look out for each other. We all keep each other on good terms. We always check on one another and we make sure everybody's good. And we're trying to be a unit, that's the biggest thing."

She is one of seven freshman that make up that unit.

"It's very interesting because we all can get to know each other, but also grow together," Leggett said. "I think that's a good part about it."
In a team with many dynamic personalities, she said she would most like to bring a twist.

"My personality is unique," Leggett said. "I feel as though personality-wise, I bring a lot of confidence to other players, and a lot of help and care. I care for a lot of people and I am there for them when they need me most. When you're down, I am there for you to help you pick yourself up and you do what you have to do."

She believes speaking to teammates personally, one-on-one, is a way to foster strong communication and propel the team.

"I want feedback from [my teammates] and I want them to tell me what type of issues they have with me at practice and what type of things I need to get better in; because a team that gets better, they help each other get better," Leggett said.

In addition to her on-the-court advances, she thinks communication is a big area in which she can contribute to this team.

"Communication is the key to building this team," Leggett said. "That's what I believe. The more we communicate, the better we will have chemistry on the court and the better we will perform."