(Halifax, N.S.) Dalhousie University men’s basketball coach Rick Plato is pleased to announce the commitment of Alex Carson to the Tigers 2016-2017 lineup.

Carson comes to the Tigers after an illustrious high school and provincial team career.

A 6’6 small forward, Carson has been a member of Nova Scotia’s provincial team program the last five seasons. He has led the U17 teams to two national podium finishes, including gold last summer. He scored 28 points in the final and was named a first team all-star in 2015. He led Nova Scotia to a bronze medal in 2014 where he was selected as a second team all-star after averaging 16.2 points and 11 rebounds per game. He also played a big role in Nova Scotia’s gold medal win at the East Coast Games in June 2015.

A grade 12 student at Sackville High School, Carson was the Kingfishers’ co-MVP in his grade 10 and 11 years.  One of the top scorers in the Metro Basketball League, he scored 61 points in a single game earlier this year and has been averaging 28 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per game so far this season. Carson was the league’s 2013-14 rookie of the year in grade 10 and was named the MVP last season. The Lower Sackville, N.S. native received the Diquiznio Leadership award last year which is awarded to a Sackville High student who demonstrates sportsmanship and dedication to sport.

"I am very excited to play for Coach Plato and on a team that has the potential to bring a national championship back to Halifax, while getting a great education at the same time.” says Carson. “I can’t wait to get started!”

An honours and Principal’s List student, Carson will be enrolled in Dalhousie’s Recreation Management program this fall.

"Alex is the type of player that comes along once in a great while,” says Plato. “In my 30 years of coaching in Nova Scotia, there are few, if any young Nova Scotian student-athletes who have demonstrated the innate motivation, skill and commitment that Alex does. He is an accomplished student and athlete, and an even better person.  We are fortunate to add a young man like Alex to our roster and I feel very privileged to be able to add such a promising Nova Scotian to our ranks. When I took this job, I was committed to keeping the best Maritmer’s at home and with Alex, they don't come much better than that."

Carson will lead the charge in the Kingfishers’ bid to a spot in this year’s NSSAF boy’s provincial basketball championship tournament. They’ll compete with CEC, Lockview and Riverview for one of two spots at a qualifying event this weekend in Truro.