Southeast's Tre Alexandrea reunites with coach Washington at SCF

BRADENTON -- When Elliot Washington left the head basketball job at Southeast High School to coach in the college ranks, the only disappointment he felt was leaving talented freshman point guard Tre Alexandrea.

That disappointment turned into excitement Friday when Alexandrea signed a letter of intent to play for Washington at State College of Florida.

"Tre was the guy who made everybody better, that is a rare quality among players nowadays so I am thrilled," said Washington, who just completed his third season at SCF. "He is a true point guard and has always been that way. He came off the bench for me as a freshman, and you knew he was going to be a special player."

Despite playing most of the season with a dislocated thumb on his shooting hand, Alexandrea helped the Noles win a district title, averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 assists per game.

"I feel I can learn so much from coach Washington. He played point guard in college and will push you to the limit," Alexandrea said. "I know that after a year or two with him I can get can to a Division I program. I can take what he learned as a player

and coach and implement into my game."

Washington knows a lot about playing point guard at highest level of college basketball.

He was the starting point guard at Alabama, where he played with five first-round NBA selections: Robert Horry, Latrell Sprewell, Roy Rogers, Jason Caffey and James Robinson under Wimp Sanderson.

The experience coupled with the fast-paced game of Florida JUCO basketball attracted him to Alexandrea, who was receiving interest from other colleges.

"The speed of the game at our level is 10 times faster than high school and a lot faster than at a lot of four-year colleges. It is furious," Washington said.

"Tre fits in perfectly. He is real athletic and fast and plays under control. What a lot of people don't realize is that JUCO basketball has a lot of Division I players."

The 5-foot-9 guard, who turned 18 in January, wasn't able to play up to his full potential last season because of his injury, but refused to take any time off.

"I had to hide the pain because the team needed me. I like this level because I think I am fast and scrappy and like the uptempo style," Alexandrea said.

Washington said he will be signing other players and is holding open gym Saturday from 4-6 p.m. where players can come and show their skills.

Alan Dell, Herald sports columnist/writer, can be reached at 941-745-7056. Follow him on Twitter @ADellSports

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Southeast's Tre Alexandrea reunites with coach Washington at SCF ."