ALEX KILMARTIN LEADS WALES NATIONAL TEAM TO SILVER MEDAL

Charlotte Catholic Basketball player, Alex Kilmartin, was the only American competing in the European 16 Under basketball Championships in Gibraltar. The event was held in Gibraltar (near the tip of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea) and had the national teams from 8 countries competing in their group (Group C). Alex, the son of Sean and Jane Kilmartin (like his brother last year,Ryan Kilmartin) was eligible to play for the national team for Wales (United Kingdom) as his mother is from Wales.

The tryout process required 4 separate trips to London over the previous school year to make the National Team. The Charlotte native helped the 16 U team to its’ highest ever international finish with a Silver medal, falling to Scotland in the Championship game. The event was the FIBA (Federation of International Basketball Associations) certified European Championships. FIBA is the organizing body that controls all organized international basketball including the World Championships and the Olympics. Alex, whose mother was a former Miss Wales and represented the UK in the Miss Universe pageant, had a very big impact in the event. He was second in the entire event in both 3 point shots attempted and 3 point shots made. he was also 7th in field goal percentage. During the final pool play game against Monaco, (to get Wales into the playoffs) Alex had 13 points in the 3rd quarter to propel Wales to a 6 point lead going into the final period.

Against highly respected former Soviet state Moldova , Alex contributed 10 points during a 15-3 run to turn the game in favor of Wales. For the event, the Charlotte Catholic and Charlotte Royal (AAU Club) player ended with nearly 10 points per game and 4 rebounds and lead his team to their highest ever international finish. He was named to the second team all tournament.