Alex, can you give me an insight into what it was like growing up in the United States?

I was raised at Richmond Heights. I suppose one word describes it and that is tough. It was a rough and tough area and is still the same today. There’s a lot of violence, drugs and poverty in the Richmond Heights area, still is today. I saw it all in my childhood — young and old people taking drugs, countless drug overdoses, muggings and shootings and everything in between. A lot of my friends made wrong choices. There were a lot of my school mates and various friends around the neighbourhood that got mixed up in the violence and the drugs. Sadly there are many that are not with us today.

What do you think kept you away from the drugs and the violence?

I would have to say playing sport. I started playing American gridiron when I was five years old. I’ve got to thank my great-grand-father Alex Lumpkin. He was a wonderful man to me. He was an old man but still found the time to take me to the park to kick the footy. American gridiron was my first love. Alex made sure I always had a footy in my hand when I was young. He worked in the military system. I was really close to him. He was a pretty active man right up to when he died at the age of over 92. We were prepared for his death as he was an old man but his death had a big impact on me. When Alex died I was 14 years old and I gave away playing gridiron because I had so many memories of him. I had played a bit of basketball while I was playing gridiron but after Alex died I decided to concentrate on playing basketball. I found as a young person Alex’s passing put life things in perspective for me.

Last season you played basketball in Adelaide with the Woodville Warriors in the Central Australian Basketball League. Did you enjoy your time in Adelaide?

I really liked it. We won the grand final and I was fortunate to have won a few individual awards for the season. It was really good to live there as I met so many new people. I did some work in primary and secondary schools. I was teaching them about the fundamentals of basketball but I also spoke about life and leadership skills. I encouraged the students at all levels to try and stay positive. I understand that is an easy thing to say but sometimes it’s difficulty to achieve. I assured them if you stay positive things do turn around. It may take time but things do change if we maintain a positive outlook.

You are in your first season playing basketball with Warrnambool Seahawks. How does the Big V competition measure up compared with your time at the Woodville Warriors in the CABL?

I would say the Big V competition is stronger than the CABL. There just appears to be more players in the Big V competition who have better skills than the players in the CABL. I’ve been really happy with how the Seahawks have been going this season but I was disappointed we lost to the Geelong Supercats last Saturday. We needed that win. Another game we should have won was the one against Southern Peninsula. It was a winnable game and we lost it, which was disappointing.

What were your first impressions of Warrnambool?

It’s all what I had heard. Beautiful coastline, close-knit community and a laid-back atmosphere. It’s all those things. I have not been disappointed since I moved here. The people are really friendly. I really don’t think you understand how lucky you are to live in this part of the world compared to a lot of other places. I came to Warrnambool in the middle of February and the weather was humid and I thought this reminded me a bit of Florida but it’s changed pretty dramatically over the past few weeks. I really hate the cold weather. People keep on telling me we are not into winter yet. I can say I’m not really looking forward to it when it comes.

Apart from playing basketball with the Seahawks, what do you do to keep yourself busy during the day?

Mondays I head over to Port Fairy to do a bit of basketball coaching at St Patrick’s Primary School. I also umpire some basketball games at Port Fairy’s Southcombe Park on Monday evenings. I then help out at the Warrnambool Arc with junior groups on other days of the week.

Who are some of the young players who have caught your attention as potentially good players with the Seahawks?

There’s a few really good prospects. Blokes like Liam Killey, Curtis Ryan and Jeremy Bolden to name just a couple. Basketball around this area is pretty strong and I can only see it getting stronger as the people running basketball in Warrnambool are really passionate about the sport. Blokes like Bobby Cunningham are doing a wonderful job for basketball in this area.

Have you gone to any local footy games?

No. I haven’t gone to any yet. I’m hoping to get to a few games in the future but it’s difficult sometimes because of my commitments with the Seahawks. 

You signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks for the 2015 season. Are you thinking of staying on for the 2016 season?

The club has indicated they would like me to play in 2016. I haven’t made up my mind. My partner Darrisha is coming out here in August. I will be heading back to the United States in mid-September to catch up with family and friends. I will make up my mind later in the year.

If you never played basketball what would have you done with yourself? 

I’ve got a bachelor degree for business administration and management in America. I had always thought I would go into a business franchise and I reckon I will do that when my basketball career is over.