From Fleetwood to K-State: Alexis Hess on the Wildcats' First Sweet 16 Trip in 23 Years
- Sean McBryan
- Mar 29
- 3 min read
Alexis Hess is no stranger to adversity. She overcame a knee injury in high school to finish her career at Fleetwood with 1,403 points and committed to Jeff Mittie's Kansas State Wildcats.
The Kansas State redshirt sophomore has not played in a game yet as she works her way back from the same knee injury, but that hasn’t dampened her love for the game or her commitment to her team.
“The injury that I have going on is similar to the one I had my sophomore year of high school, so it’s nothing I’m unfamiliar with,” Alexis said. “Recovering so far, I’m on track and on time, and it’s been really good due to the resources that we have. My trainers and coaches have been supporting me and helping me out throughout this process.”
Despite not being on the court this season, Hess has remained an integral part of the Wildcats’ historic run to the Sweet 16. Kansas State reached the milestone for the first time since 2002, and Hess has embraced every moment.
“It’s exciting knowing we’re making history, and just being a part of it is really exciting,” she said. “This is something that we’ve said from the beginning of the year that we wanted for us, because we believed in ourselves and we believed in our team. Regardless if I’m playing or not, it’s still a big achievement, and I’ve been happy to be a part of it. And Sweet 16 is really sweet, for sure.”
Even while sidelined, Alexis has found ways to contribute to the team’s success. Whether it’s participating in drills, helping out with passing and rebounding, or simply providing energy from the sidelines.
“As of right now, I’m unable to run or anything, but I do help with the passing drills and rebounding,” she said. “I do as much as I can, whether that’s cheering on the sideline or whatever the case may be—I’m there.”
Hess has taken in the experience of competing at the highest level, surrounded by some of the best players in women’s college basketball. She’s has a front-row seat to see standout talents like teammate Ayoka “Yokie” Lee, who has the NCAA Division I women's single-game scoring record of 61, as well as opposing stars Caitlin Clark, whose Iowa team Kansas State played last season, and Juju Watkins, who unfortunately went down with a torn ACL in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and won't be suiting up when the No. 5 seed Wildcats and No. 1 seed USC play in the round of 16 Saturday at 8:00 p.m. in Spokane, Wash.
“It’s amazing to be a part of the progression in women’s sports and seeing so many girls showcasing their talent,” Hess said. “Having Yokie on my team has been a blessing—learning from her, and she gives me little tidbits here and there, and just helps me out along the way. Just being around players like Caitlin Clark and Juju Watkins has been a great experience for me, for sure.”
Even with the demands of life at Kansas State, Hess tries to remain connected to her roots in Berks County. She keeps up with Fleetwood basketball and supports her former teammates whenever she gets the chance.
“I try to keep up as much as I can,” she said. “The last time I went home, I went to go see Fleetwood play. I’m still close with them, and I make sure that I get out there and support them as much as I can.”
As she looks ahead, Alexis is eager for what’s next. She remains focused on her recovery and is excited for the opportunity to return to the court next season.
“I’m just really excited,” she said. “This team has done great things all year. I’m really grateful, really blessed. And I can’t wait for next season—hopefully, I’m playing and good to go. I can’t wait for that day to come.”
Commentaires