After wrapping up a collegiate career that would be the envy of any college student, recent Auburn graduate Blanche Alverson has even loftier aspirations in mind. While adding to a list of accolades including being named Miss Homecoming and the 2012 SEC women's basketball scholar-athlete of the year may seem to be a daunting task, Alverson seems to be up to the challenge.
After signing a training camp contract with the WNBA's Atlanta Dream in early May, she stayed with the team for a week and a half, appearing in two preseason games: one against the Tulsa Shock in Oklahoma and another versus the Brazilian national team in Atlanta. While Alverson's stay with the Dream wasn't a lengthy one, her International Basketball Federation accredited agent, Auburn alumnus and brother, William Alverson, said her experience with the WNBA team was crucial for her development as a player.
"Even though she wasn't with the Dream for very long, she was a great teammate to all of them. It was also good to see her succeed in the fast-paced system most WNBA teams run. She was only in that type of system for (her senior) season at Auburn, but in those two preseason games, she was able to not only play, but play well," William said. "After talking to the Dream officials, they made it very clear that it was an extremely difficult decision to let her go, but she definitely exceeded their expectations and proved that she belonged with players of that caliber."
Using her positive experience with the Dream as a springboard, Blanche has since been negotiating a contract with a professional team in Europe. Though the final details haven't been set in stone, she will be joining the team in September.
"I'll be playing (in Europe) for at least a year, depending on how the season goes," Blanche said. "If I go over and have a great season in Europe and am presented with an opportunity to keep playing, then I'll do that. But that will just have to be a decision I make when that time comes."
While Blanche is fully prepared to continue her professional basketball career, she is more than willing and able to pursue other options if she feels that is the right career move at that time. She boasted a 3.68 grade-point average in biomedical sciences at Auburn and hopes to one day enroll in medical school to fulfill her life-long dream of becoming a pediatrician.
"Regardless, I'll probably end up in medical school," Blanche said. "I think that long-term I want to be a pediatrician."
While the past few months have been a whirlwind for both Alversons, the brother-sister duo agreed being able to work so closely with one another has been the most gratifying aspect of the entire process.
"While she was not my first client, she was the first international contract I did," William said. "It was really cool to be able to go through that process with my sister. I've got a little more comfort with her background than with my other clients, and knowing I'm able to help put her in a good situation has been really rewarding."
When asked what it has been like working hand-in-hand with William, Blanche had nothing but good things to say about the comfort level her brother has afforded her with.
"It's been awesome. It's been so much easier to work with him, because we obviously have that previous relationship," Blanche said. "I think it's brought us closer, and I know that he'll always be honest with me. I know that he'll do whatever it takes for me to be put in the best situation to succeed."
William has been equally impressed with Blanche's seemingly seamless transition from college star to professional athlete.
"She's a hard worker and follows through on everything she says she is going to do," William said. "She juggles around so much. It's really quite impressive that she never drops the ball on anything. If I tell her that she's got to be at a workout, she's there early and always stays late. I've just been impressed to see her grow, not only as a basketball player, but as a person."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
