Alex Jensen facts for kids
| [[Dallas Mavericks|Dallas Mavericks]] | |
|---|---|
| Assistant coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 16, 1976 |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Viewmont (Bountiful, Utah) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Utah (1994–1995, 1997–2000) |
| NBA Draft | 2000 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2000–2007 |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2000–2002 | Darüşşafaka |
| 2002 | Girona |
| 2002–2003 | Yakima Sun Kings |
| 2003–2005 | Tuborg Pilsener |
| 2005–2006 | Türk Telekom |
| 2006 | Mitsubishi Melco Dolphins |
| 2007 | TED Ankara Kolejliler |
| As coach: | |
| 2007–2011 | Saint Louis (assistant) |
| 2011–2013 | Canton Charge |
| 2013–2023 | Utah Jazz (assistant) |
| 2023–present | Dallas Mavericks (assistant) |
| 2015 | Germany (assistant) |
| 2022 | United States |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach:
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Alex Jensen (born May 16, 1976) is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He currently works as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before becoming a coach, he was a star player at the University of Utah.
Contents
College Basketball Journey
Alex Jensen was a top high school basketball player from Centerville. In 1994, he was named Utah Mr. Basketball, which means he was considered the best high school player in Utah. He then went on to play college basketball for the Utah Utes.
Early Years and Mission
As a freshman, Alex played well, averaging about 7 points and 6 rebounds per game. After his first year, he took a break from basketball. He went on a two-year mission trip to England as part of his faith.
Return to the Court
When Alex returned in 1997, he immediately became a starter for the Utes. He joined a strong team with players like Andre Miller and Michael Doleac. Together, they had an amazing season in 1997-98. The team won 30 games and only lost 4.
Playing for a National Title
In 1998, Alex and his teammates made it all the way to the NCAA National Championship game. They played against a very strong Kentucky team. Even though they didn't win the championship, it was a huge achievement for the Utes. Alex averaged about 7 points and 5 rebounds during this successful season.
Becoming a Star Player
Alex continued to improve each year. As a junior, he was named to the All-WAC team. He also made the WAC All-Defensive team because of his strong defense. He helped lead his team back to the NCAA tournament and was named the MVP of the 1999 WAC tournament.
Player of the Year
In his senior year, Alex became the first ever Player of the Year for the new Mountain West Conference. He averaged over 13 points and 7 rebounds per game that season. By the end of his college career, he had scored more than 1,200 points and grabbed almost 900 rebounds.
Professional Playing Career
After college, Alex Jensen played professional basketball overseas. He played in several countries, including Spain, Japan, and Turkey.
Success Overseas and in the CBA
While playing in Turkey, he was recognized as the All-FIBA Europe Cup Defender of the Year in 2004. He also played one season in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for the Yakama Sun Kings. In 2003, his team won the CBA championship, and Alex was named to the All-Defensive Team.
Coaching Career
In 2007, Alex Jensen decided to stop playing and start coaching. He joined his former college coach, Rick Majerus, as an assistant coach at Saint Louis University.
Leading the Canton Charge
After four years at Saint Louis, Alex got a big opportunity. He was offered the job as the first head coach of the Canton Charge. This team played in the NBA Development League (now called the G-League). In just his second season, in 2013, Alex was named the NBA D-League's Coach of the Year. This award showed how great he was at leading his team.
NBA and National Team Coaching
On July 23, 2013, Alex joined the Utah Jazz coaching staff as a player development assistant. He helped players improve their skills. Two years later, in 2015, he also became an assistant coach for the German national team. In August 2022, he even got to be the head coach for the United States team in a tournament called the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup. In 2023, he moved to the Dallas Mavericks to continue his work as an assistant coach.
