Zahra Alexander’s basketball journey has been shaped by patience and a steady belief in her potential. Raised in South Orange, New Jersey, the New York University standout first realized she could play at a collegiate level during her time at Rutgers Preparatory School. The structure of the program and the guidance she received helped her understand the demands of the sport. High-level practices under Coach Mary Klinger and daily battles against top talent formed Zahra’s foundation that prepared her for everything that would later come in her career.
Recruitment became a central part of her life as she neared the end of her sophomore and junior years. She remembered balancing schoolwork, team commitments, and the pressure of deciding the next step in her athletic career. When it came time to choose a college, she knew NYU was the right place because the university offered a combination of academic excellence and competitive basketball that she wanted. The familiarity of the city and the trust she felt during her recruiting process solidified her commitment.
Her transition into college basketball was not immediate or easy. She relied on teammates to help her acclimate to the program’s workload and pace, both on and off the floor.
“It was definitely an adjustment, but I feel like my teammates really helped me out with that in all aspects,” Alexander said. The program’s support system aided her in finding her footing while navigating challenging academics and the expectations attached to representing one of the top Division III teams in the country.
Her freshman year showed what Alexander was capable of as the 5-9 guard appeared in 27 games and led the freshman class in minutes played (337) as the Violets captured their second straight NCAA Division III women’s basketball championship. They posted perfect 31-0 records in both the 2023-24 campaign (31-0) and last season, knocking off Smith College in the finals twice. NYU held a special ceremony this past weekend to honor the back-to-back titlists.
And a third consecutive chip is highly probable. After defeating John Jay College by 114-34 on Monday, led by freshman guard Olivia Lagao’s 23 points and Alexander’s 21, the 5-0, No. 1-ranked Violets extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 67 games. They return to the court on Saturday (2 p.m.) at the Betty Shabazz Tournament at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, where they’ll face Colby College.
The growing visibility of women’s sports fuels Alexander’s passion for the game. She believes Division III athletes deserve more recognition and that the broader public is beginning to understand the level of work required to succeed.
“People forget how hard Division III athletes work,” Alexander said. “We put in the same effort and the same hours, and we deserve to be seen for what we do.”