Alekseyenko’s Special First Season with Raiders

It took only a few seconds into the opening minute of Colgate’s first game of the season for Andrew Alekseyenko ’29 to show what he could do in a maroon-and-white uniform. 

The Raiders were at Michigan State. Colgate won the tip-off. The ball was brought up the court. Then a pass was made to Alekseyenko, who was wide open behind the three-point line.

Most coaches might prefer that the ball continue moving and for players to set up a play. But the 6-foot-8 rookie had other plans.

Alekseyenko did not hesitate when he caught the ball. He took the shot and nailed it.

It was an eye-popping beginning for the first-year, who made several more impressive shots throughout the game against an opponent that was ranked No. 22 at the time. 

He finished the night with 14 points and a performance that was a sign of things to come.

Alekseyenko, who hails from Brookline, Mass., had a breakout season for the Raiders. He averaged 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He was the team’s leading rebounder. He scored double figures in 18 straight contests. He started in all 33 games. 

He was a consistent scorer and a breath of fresh air for a program that was looking to rebound after a tough 2024-25 season where the Raiders struggled offensively and fell short of making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in years. 

At times, Alekseyenko hardly looked like a rookie. For instance, there was his 21-point effort against Illinois on Nov. 14, followed by a 25-point performance at St. Bonaventure on Dec. 10.

He got stronger as the season went on, and collected the awards to prove it. He received five conference rookie of the week honors. He made All-Patriot League Second Team. He was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year.

And it all began with that opening shot, which was a crucial moment for the rookie, who was nervous going into his first game as a Raider.

“It was definitely a relief to make my first shot,” he said. “It relieved all the stress I had going into the game. It felt really good. I felt like a weight was off my shoulders.”

Alekeseynko said his shot was not how his head coach drew up the opening play. But he saw an opportunity and took it.

“I was pretty open,” he said. “It wasn’t set at all. Some guy on Michigan State tripped and I was wide open.”

In the days after the game, Alekseyenko’s thoughts were only on the outcome of Colgate’s season opener, which ended in a 80-69 loss. But as he looked back on the game, he realized he played well.

“I was mad we lost, honestly,” Alekseyenko said. “But days later, reflecting on that game, I was like, ‘Wow, I played pretty well against a good team.’ I felt good about myself. We were always in that game. It gave me a lot of confidence in what we would be able to do as a team.”

Alekseyenko said he was happy to be named the Patriot League’s top rookie. But awards are secondary. What matters more is winning, he said.

“The award comes from us being a good team and me being in a position to succeed,” he said. “If we were at the bottom of the league, me and Jalen Cox wouldn’t have had as much recognition as other guys. The award shows the trust Coach Langel has put in me.”

When Alekseyenko reported to training camp last summer, the Raiders were in need of a starting forward to replace Parker Jones, who was injured and would end up missing the entire season.

The first-year would eventually earn the role, but it wasn’t easy. He struggled in his first few practices. He didn’t score a single point. He played too quickly, too rushed. 

“Our first scrimmage, I played pretty bad,” he said. “I don’t think I scored in the first two practices.”

But by the second week, he began to adapt to the pace of the game. He started to score and build confidence. His coaches gave him instructions. He learned quickly.

He began the season as a starter and never relinquished the role. As the season went on, his play improved, thanks to his commitment in the gym and on the court, which included many one-on-one sessions with first-year assistant coach Kaylin Johnson.

He became a better shooter. He was a solid shooter in high school. But at Colgate, he developed consistency.

“In high school, I was not a consistent shooter,” he said. “But this year, it was the best I have ever shot. That’s a lot on the coaches spending time with me and getting me in a good position to make a shot.”

Head coach Matt Langel praised the forward for his exceptional rookie season. He said Alekseyenko committed himself to the process and learned quickly.

“He’s an incredible competitor and an incredibly hard worker, individually and in practice,” Langel said. “Especially for a first-year player, he’s really invested in taking care of his body in terms of lifting weights. He’s one of those guys you have to kick out of the gym.

“Any time you’re an all-conference second team, all-conference rookie of the year in any league, it speaks to your performance,” he said.

Regarding the opening shot in the Michigan State game, that play showed that Alekseyenko lives for big moments, Langel said.

“He does not back away from the moment at any point in time for better or worse,” he said.

Alekseyenko worked to earn everything he achieved in his first year, the same way he worked to become a better player in high school.

Growing up outside Boston, Alekseyenko played high school basketball before transferring to the Rivers School, a prep school in a strong league where players looking for DI programs get better exposure.

After one season at Rivers, he had no offers from DI schools. He returned to Rivers for another season to continue his development. He went on to have another excellent year on the court, and this time, others took notice.

He ended up with eight offers, Colgate among them. 

“Colgate was the one I liked the most,” he said. “Obviously, the success they’ve had in the past five, six years played a big part. I used to watch them play in the NCAA Tournament. They always had good teams. And it’s a great academic school. It was probably the best academic place for me.”

There were many special moments for Alekseyenko in his first season as a Raider. Some of them involved basketball. Others involved his relationship with his teammates.

“It was really good,” he said of his experience with the team. “Overall, the best thing was that I really liked all my teammates. We had a good dynamic as a team. Everyone really likes each other. We always have a good time on and off the court. That should lead to success in the future.”

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