The LSU women’s basketball team entered the season in need of a new low-post presence after the departure of forward Sheila Boykin. Through nine games, junior forward Alexis Hyder has stepped to the forefront for the Lady Tigers.
Hyder is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 10.4 points per game through nine games. She has also been a force on the glass as the Lady Tigers’ leading rebounder.
Hyder’s 74 rebounds are the most on the team by far. She has 43 rebounds on the offensive end alone, while only one other player on the team has more than 40 rebounds in total this season.
“We expect her to be a force to be reckoned with on the offensive side with the basketball, as well as the defensive end,” said LSU coach Nikki Fargas.” “She’s someone we saw on film and really liked. We knew she had to sit out a year, but we were still expecting great things.”
Hyder sat out last season due to NCAA eligibility rules after transferring from North Texas University. She put up averages of 12.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while starting 51 of 59 games for the Mean Green during her freshman and sophomore seasons.
Hyder earned All-Sun Belt third-team honors during her freshman season and appeared to be on her way to a productive collegiate career at North Texas. However, she saw a bigger opportunity in Baton Rouge.
“I wanted to pursue a professional career, and I felt I needed a bigger stage,” Hyder said. “LSU has a great history, and they produce some great professional players. Even if I don’t make it as a player, I could end up coaching, and being here would have helped. It’s great being a part of [the program].”
Hyder describes herself as a “tweener” — a bigger player that possesses the dribbling and shooting skills of a guard — and she has been efficient with her shot selection thus far. Hyder is shooting 53.1 percent from the field, the second best percentage on the team behind freshman forward Ayana Mitchell.
Hyder has taken 64 shots compared to Mitchell’s seven.
“Big Lex From Tex,” as her teammates call her, said last season helped her development as a player although she didn’t log a single minute on the court. Although she wanted to play, she took the opportunity to watch and learn as much as she could in order to improve her game.
“I didn’t want it to be a wasteful year,” Hyder said. “I wanted to get in better shape and improve my basketball IQ, and I think that’s helped me this season.”
Hyder has adjusted to her new school and become a key player for LSU. She has steadily improved throughout her college career, and she said her best is yet to come.
“I don’t want to say I’m comfortable here yet because that would mean I’m content,” Hyder said. “I still have a lot of room to grow as a player. I want to help my team win as many games as possible and give it my all every day.”