The Concentric Wealth Management Gael Spotlight is a monthly Q&A by SMCGaels.com with a Saint Mary's student-athlete to get to know our Gaels more closely.
MORAGA, Calif. — SMCGaels.com recently spoke with Alex Mudronja, a freshman on the men's basketball team who, like many current and former Gaels, hails from Australia. Mudronja spoke about attending the Australian Institure of Sport and his transition to playing hoops stateside.
Q: What brought you to Saint Mary's?
AM: I chose to come to Saint Mary's for the basketball program but I liked the cool and calm of the campus. It's secluded and in a beautiful place in the Bay Area, the location was a pretty big part. And the people too. When I came here, everyone seemed so friendly. I was under some weird thought that Americans weren't that friendly but it turned out they were.
Q: When did you start playing basketball and did you play any other sports growing up?
AM: I played Aussie rules football pretty much like every other Australian. I loved it and still do love it. I started playing basketball when I was about seven and that kind of took over for me and became my obsession. Basketball isn't as big as other sports there but it's definitely growing.
Q: You attended the AIS, or Australian Institute of Sport. Can you tell us more about what that is?
AM: It's been around for a long time but nowadays it's mainly focused on basketball. They bring the 12 most elite basketball lads in the country to the capital, Canberra, and have them train every day together and make each other better. It's ultimately to strengthen the young blokes trying to make the Boomers, the national team, and make the team better and better each year.
Q: How did you get there and what was that experience like?
AM: I got recruited at a national tournament when I was 15 and was asked to come over for a trial and they ended up selecting me. I was 16 when I moved to Canberra and to be honest, moving out of home at that age, there was a massive learning curve. I had to grow up really fast and went through a fair amount of adversity my first year there. I feel like it helped me so much as a person. It makes you grow up and learn to deal with other people.
Q: Do you feel that the AIS prepared you for college in America?
AM: Definitely. It's a good stepping stone. It gives you an idea of what college will be like with study hall hours and training after practice. The whole idea of moving over to America can be daunting for young blokes back home but when there's a group that's all striving for the same goal, it makes it so much easier.
Q: What has the adjustment to life in America been like and what have been the biggest challenges you've faced so far in college?
AM: Well having some of the other Aussie blokes around helps but the language was a bit hard to get around at first. Having to introduce yourself in class and say things to other people and them having no clue what you mean with certain terms. A lot of people here had a hard time understanding what I was trying to say. You have to speak a little slower, everyone says Australians speak fast. That was a challenge but being at the AIS helped with being away from family and having the other guys on the team makes it feel like there's not any challenges you have to face on your own.
Q: Did Saint Mary's connection with Australia affect your decision to come here?
AM: Definitely. Just knowing of how they treated Aussies in the past really helped. There's been so many elite Australian point guards that have come through this program, people that I look up to and aspire to be like, so I know it's a great developmental place to be.
Q: What has been your favorite part of college basketball so far?
AM: Probably the fans and the amount of support people give to college basketball teams. I was blown away by it. In Moraga, it's incredible when we have big games and the stadium is packed out, it's a pretty special feeling. I don't think I've ever felt something like that before.
Saint Mary's rounds out their season on Saturday at home against No. 1 Gonzaga. More information and links to the game can be found on the Gaels' schedule page.
