Alex O’Neill (#20 | 6-8 | 240 | F | Fr.)
After originally committing to play across town at Nebraska-Omaha, O’Neill, a forward out of Illinois, de-committed and joined the Bluejays instead. His mother Janet also played basketball at Creighton back when current athletic director Bruce Rasmussen was leading the Bluejays from the sideline. Now it’s Alex’s turn to lace up the basketball sneakers on the hilltop.
Check out our Alex O’Neill photo gallery!
Standing 6-feet 8-inches tall and weighing 240 pounds, O’Neill can play in the post and battle on the boards. He’ll add a physical presence to the scout team, but he can also step out on the perimeter and make Creighton’s post players close out on the perimeter and defend honestly in pick and pop situations. That will be his role for now, but with his size and ability to shoot the basketball it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play some meaningful minutes later in his career if he keeps working hard at the other aspects of the game.
Peoria Christian High School (Peoria, Illinois)
- averaged 13.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.0 blocked shots per game
Head Coach Greg McDermott on O’Neill:
“He’s a big man that can step out and shoot it, so that’s been good in practice. Now the challenge for him is just to learn our offense, learn what our expectations are defensively. The transition from high school is not an easy one, but he’s doing a good job with it.”
5-on-5 with Alex O’Neill
Q: What were some of the factors in why you decided to play at Creighton?
A: “It was the biggest option I had, and thought I could become the best player I could if I came here.”
Q: What has been the most challenging part of the transition from high school to college?
A: “It’s a lot busier and more time consuming. Also the competition, because I went to a small high school.”
Q: The team was picked ninth in the preseason poll. What did you think of that selection, and what are your expectations for this group this season?
A: “Of course I think we can do a lot better than what we were predicted. I don’t think we’re really looking at it. I think we’re just trying to get better as a team. I think we can accomplish a lot more than we were predicted to do. We’ll see.”
Q: When the schedule was released which game or trip did you circle as one you were looking forward to the most?
A: “The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.”
Q: When your time at Creighton is over what will you have hoped to accomplish in your career as a Bluejay?
A: “I hope people remember me, and I hope that I can play on after.”