Kayla Alexander's Jersey to be Raised in JMA Dome Rafters

On Dec. 8, 2024, Syracuse's all-time leader in career points, Kayla Alexander's No. 40 jersey will rise to the JMA Wireless Dome rafters during halftime of Syracuse's game vs. Notre Dame. Alexander, the only player in program history to score 2,000 points at Syracuse, will become the second women's basketball alumna to earn the distinction in SU history, joining current Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack.

The Syracuse-Notre Dame game will tip off at 12 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ACC Network. Tickets are available online (cuse.com/tickets) and parking is free in the Stadium West Lots.

"Well first I am beyond honored," Alexander said. "It's still so surreal to me because in my head I've always believed that people who get their jerseys in the rafters, like those are legendary people and to me I'm just Kayla."

Alexander was an Associated Press All-American during her time with the Orange from 2009-13. She tallied 2,024 career points and was third in career rebounds by the end of her career with 970. She is the career leader in blocks (350), field goals (736), free throws made (552), free throws attempted (750) and is tied for the most games played (140). Additionally, Alexander holds the single season record for blocks (96).

"The fact that I am the second women's basketball player is a huge honor that I am so incredibly grateful for," Alexander added. "You don't get up there by yourself. I had an incredible village of amazing people who helped me over the years from coaches in elementary and middle school to my amazing coaches that I had at Syracuse University.

My teammates that pushed me, that believed in me, that fed me the ball – because as a post player most of the time you're getting offensive rebounds or don't score unless your teammates share the ball with you – and my teammates constantly shared the ball with me. So, it takes a village, this is not about me, it's about all the people who helped get me here along the way and the people that helped shape me into the human being I am today."

Alexander helped guide the Orange to four postseason appearances including an NCAA berth, just the third in program history at the time, as a senior. Syracuse compiled a 96-44 record over her four seasons.

She was drafted eighth overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars, now the Las Vegas Aces, and played five seasons for the Stars before going on to play for the Indiana Fever (2018), Chicago Sky (2019) and Minnesota Lynx (2020).

A key player on Canada's Senior Women's National Team, Alexander is a two-time Olympian (Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024), an AmeriCup silver medalist in 2019 and has enjoyed a successful international playing career since first joining the Canada Basketball as a member of the Junior Women's National Team in 2008.

Alexander has played professionally all over the world including France, South Korea, Russia, Australia, Poland, Belgium, and Spain. She was named the FIBA Europe SuperCup Women MV P in 2022 and won the Russian Premiere League Championship in 2014-15. She also played in the WNBL Finals with the Adelaide Lightning while in Australia.

Alexander is a twice published author having written "The Magic of Basketball," a children's book with her sister Kesia where she was the sole illustrator. She also co-wrote "Women for the Win' with Natalie Achonwa and other members of the Canadian National Team.

"Syracuse was a place that I really grew up, I learned a lot about myself and my values – who I am, who I want to be – I was lucky to have people at Syracuse help me grow in that journey," Alexander added. "I would like to give love to my family too, especially my parents, for all their support throughout my life."

Syracuse University Athletics

Kayla Alexander's Jersey to be Raised in JMA Dome Rafters

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