Nov. 9, 2013
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- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
In our countdown to the start of the 2013-14 hoops season, we featured all 11 Hawkeyes. Today, we feature freshman Alexa Kastanek, in our final installment.
Kastanek hails from Lincoln, Neb. The former Lincoln Southeast High School standout wears No. 1 for the Hawkeyes. Kastanek (5-foot-10) was an ESPN HoopGurlz Top 100 recruit.
Key factor in recruitment:
“The coaching staff and team. It’s really a family-like feeling, and now that I have been here for a summer and a few months, you can tell we are a family and have each other no matter what.”
Facet of game you are working on:
“Definitely, my ball handling and seeing the court. They are putting me at point guard, and I’m trying to see the court better.”
Team goals:
“We had a meeting, and some of our outcome goals were winning 11 preseason games and be a good seed in the Big Ten Tournament and win the Big Ten Tournament. Pretty much do the best we can and play our hardest and that will get us where we want to be.”
Story behind your jersey number:
“I wanted No. 23. That is what I had throughout high school, but Theairra (Taylor) had it and you can’t snag it from a senior. I just went with whatever number came to mind, and it was No. 1”.
Summer free time:
“We went to the (Coralville) Res quite a few times; went to the pool, spent time with the team. Downtown Iowa City is really pretty… walked around the Ped Mall a bit to get to know the city and know where everything is at.”
Why did you choose the University of Iowa and the Hawkeye basketball program?
“The city is beautiful and everyone around is very friendly. When I came on my visits, this team felt like a family and everyone genuinely cared about each other, that’s something that is hard to fake. This team works hard and the fact that we care about one and other off the court shows on the court in the way that we would run through the wall for our teammates.”
KASTANEK’S FAVORITES:
Hobbies: Hanging out with family and friends, and watching movies
Other Sport: volleyball
Male Athlete: Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant
Female Athlete: Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi
Pro Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Movie: Love & Basketball, Space Jam, Despicable Me
Restaurant: HuHot, Chipotle
Band/Musician: Trey Songz, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood
Store: Nike Factory, Forever 21, Finish Line
TV Show: SpongeBob SquarePants, Law & Order: SVU, Modern Family
Midnight Snack: Doritos and salsa
Spot on Campus: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
City: New York City