Breakout year for Alexander on D1 stage

By any measure, Kyrone Melo Alexander has become one of the brightest exports in Barbadian basketball.

The former Harrison College standout, known for his poise and mid-range polish, just wrapped up a defining sophomore season in the NCAA Division One (D1) ranks, solidifying his role as a key piece for the Boston University (BU) Terriers while continuing to rep his roots back home.

Now in his second year at BU, Alexander averaged 12.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 41.1 per cent from the field. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

“Honestly, the season felt a bit underwhelming since we didn’t accomplish our main goal of winning the league,” Alexander said in an interview with Barbados TODAY. “Coming in as a freshman last year, I was able to sit back, go with the flow, and just learn. But this year, I stepped into a much bigger role, not just in terms of basketball production, but also as a leader on and off the court.”

And that leap was felt in a big way.

Alexander became the go-to option late in games, hitting not one, not two, but three consecutive game-winners on home court, a stretch of clutch performances rarely seen at any level. “The belief my teammates had in me was so strong that it honestly made it hard for me not to believe in myself when the game was on the line,” he said.

That confidence was not born out of a perfect path. Over the summer, Alexander battled through a grade-three ankle sprain and a fractured foot, injuries that sidelined him throughout preseason. Despite these setbacks, the BU guard returned to training just two weeks before the season tipped off, exhibiting his determination to face challenges head-on.

“It was just about pushing myself as hard as I could every time I stepped on the court,” he said. “I tried to stay away from a results-based mindset and instead focus on effort, something I truly believe is more important in the long run.”

Effort and consistency carried him through the 2025 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Men’s Championship campaign. Although the season ended with an 86–78 loss to Navy in the conference quarterfinals, despite a 16-point effort from Alexander, the sophomore made it clear that he is not just participating at the D1 level; he wants to win games.

And when he returned home in March, he did not miss a beat. Alexander suited up for the Burger King Clapham Bulls and helped lead them to the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) President’s Cup title, bringing both intensity on the court and inspiration to the local players.

For Barbados, Kyrone Alexander is more than a rising star; he is irrefutable proof that homegrown talent can thrive on the biggest stages. For the young hoopers watching from the Barbados Community College stands, Alexander is the reminder that it is possible. (AS)