Jackson Aldridge Talks FIBA and Butler

Although Jackson Aldridge will be the new guy on campus at Butler University this fall, he is certainly not new to competing against the world’s best on the basketball court.

And while many college basketball supporters from around the nation joined in the celebration of a mid-major making it to back-to-back national championship, Coach Brad Stevens and staff were rejoicing as their future Bulldog continued to represent Australia on the world’s biggest stage.

Aldridge, who is one of four new players that Butler fans will be welcoming to the team this season, has been able to represent his country for the past few years – even bringing home a Gold medal (and All-Tournament recognition) at the 2010 Albert Schweitzer Tournament.

Most recently, Aldridge was selected to represent Australia at the U19 FIBA World Championships in Latvia last month and despite being a regular starter on the U19 Australian National team, Aldridge noted that putting on the Aussie jersey is always something special.

“Anytime you get a chance to play for our country, it’s a great honor,” he explained. “I loved the experience playing in Latvia against the best players in the world for my age group and I feel very privileged that I was given the opportunity to play at the world championships.”

The tournament started off on a high note for Australia, who claimed first place in their group and advanced to the next round behind a 21 point performance from Aldridge in the final game of group play. A loss to Serbia and a win over Croatia pitted Aldridge against future teammate and Butler sophomore SF Khyle Marshall, who was representing Team USA in a 5th place game. Aldridge mentioned that he had watched Marshall play throughout the NCAA tournament and that playing against him was a little surreal .

“It was a little weird actually playing against Khyle,” Aldridge said, “We’d talked a lot during the week and hung out a bit, and he even sat with my parents for all of my games. So when it came to competing against one another it was a little weird. Although, as soon as I stepped onto the court, it was Australia versus America, but straight after we were back to being mates.”

Aldridge, who even admitted to a little trash talking directed at Marshall, revealed that he couldn’t wait to play with Marshall next year instead of playing against him.

Team USA won the game, but it was another solid tournament for Aldridge who has been limited to playing only national team games due to NCAA eligibility. These games not only create pride for the Australian point guard, but also serve as preparation for the college season approaching this fall.

“I think this experience will help a great deal (in preparing for the season). Not only does it expose you to the best talent in the world, but it teaches you to adapt day in day out to different styles of basketball. So, I think being able to adapt will help me greatly in my time at Butler.”

As the first foreign born player to come to Butler since Julian Betko transfered from Clemson, Jackson Aldridge comes from a basketball rich country that has recently adopted Butler as one of their own.

“People in Australia know about 3 NCAA schools at the moment,” Aldridge stated, “St Mary’s, Duke, and now Butler! So when they hear I’m heading there, they say I’m so lucky and that it must be awesome to be going there. And I feel they are so right, I’m extremely lucky and can’t wait!”

Aldridge, who was on scholarship the past few years at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), really saw his recruitment pick up before eventually deciding on Butler and said he knew immediately that it was the school for him.

“As stereotypical as it sounds, Butler just felt right,” he explained. “The vibe I was getting from the coaching staff and players, and the things I’d heard about the school made my decision so easy. Also, Butler’s holistic approach to school and sports was extremely important to me. So those things made my choice simple!”

Jackson Aldridge continues to pride himself on his speed, strength, shooting, and team management, but confessed that he wasn’t sure what his role will be yet at Butler.

“I’m just coming in with an open mind to learn and to work as hard as I can. My role will sort itself out from there, but I definitely have aspirations to be a significant part of the team in the future.”

One thing is for sure though – It will only be a matter of time before the Dawg Pound (Butler’s student section) creates an Aussie chant complete with face-paint and kangaroo hopping. Either way, Butler fans should be VERY excited about the potential that Jackson Aldridge offers and will be pleased to know that with his commitment to Butler they have gained a whole country of fans in the process.