Looking Sporty, Looking Good! (Part 3)
August 30, 2002 | 12:00am
Alex Compton (Basketball Player)
Humility is the hardest virtue to attain yet the easiest to fake. You’ve got star athletes scouring for the MVP title just for the sake of pride (and of course, a much-wanted raise), and billboard fills that make them more of entertainment newbies than professional sportsmen. But for someone like Alex Compton, the experience has been overwhelming…far than what he had ever expected.
"Honestly, I think it’s funny, because in my life, I don’t do anything particularly amazingly well so I don’t think I deserve any of the attention I’m getting. I’m no awesome looking guy, just decent looking, kinda smart, and a pretty good basketball player. But there are so many better basketball players around who are more intelligent and who earn more money. So it’s kinda humorous to me in a way, so I just live my life and have fun. It’s all fleeting anyway.
"The great thing about being an athlete is that it’s your job to be healthy, so there’s a very positive benefit in that. But when you’re working that hard, what really is important is that you get your rest. This job is a lot more draining than a nine-to-five job," he shares. On the contrary, Alex and the rest of the professional basketball players only have a day of rest, and a whole week of stress and strain. It all boils down on how they spend it. For Alex, it goes like church, home, movies…no detours and no cuts. He is also an active member of Champions For Christ, a ministry of athletes whose lives are devoted into bringing in more sportsmen to God.
And as though an athlete’s curse, Alex also escapes the dating scene and prefers to wait patiently. "I’m really excited about getting married and having kids and all, but that will come. Because what I used to do is look for it, but the more I search for the perfect girl, (the more) I end up getting stuck in a string of relationships. I’d rather just live my life, hang-out, and not be searching for it since I know it’s gonna come."
Left much room for disappointment? Worry not, for every dark cloud is a silver lining. "The most important thing in my life right now is my faith and that is nice to expect from a woman."
What’s your greatest achievement as an athlete?
Winning championships! When I was in high school, we won the State Basketball Championship. In the MBA, our team, the Batangas Blades, has already won two championships!
When and how did you start playing your sport?
I started playing in organized leagues when I was seven, but I have been playing ever since I can remember.
What makes an athlete?
Discipline, desire, and talent. Those make for a good start.
What breaks an athlete?
Lack of focus, poor work ethics, and bad habits off the court.
What’s your main motivation?
The game itself, since it’s so much fun!
What have you learned most from the sport?
One, discipline. Two, the drive…that you can do more and push yourself farther than you thought you could go. That’s perseverance.
If you were to choose between being the world’s most gorgeous heartthrob or being the world’s best athlete, which would you choose?
Best athlete. That requires more character than just looking great. Give me about 10 years and I’m gonna be fat and unattractive. There are gorgeous looking men and women out there who are born that way, but being a basketball player requires more effort as an athlete, a team player, and as a person.
What’s the most memorable thing a fan did to catch your attention?
Nothing crazy, really. They’re just so kind and give me lots of gifts. With regard to popularity, it’s kind of funny because I don’t do anything that really deserves a lot of praise. I just try not to take it too seriously; and I just remind myself that’s not really what life is all about.
What are the things you prioritize more than your sport?
God and family, for the obvious reasons.
What’s your break from all the stress and strain?
For me, it’s spending quite, quality time with God. He gives me peace.
When’s the finish line for you?
Whenever I either lose the desire to give 100% all the time, or I lose the ability to compete at a high level.
How would you encourage others to get into sports?
First, you have to have the desire, and you really have to enjoy the sport. It should be fun!
Humility is the hardest virtue to attain yet the easiest to fake. You’ve got star athletes scouring for the MVP title just for the sake of pride (and of course, a much-wanted raise), and billboard fills that make them more of entertainment newbies than professional sportsmen. But for someone like Alex Compton, the experience has been overwhelming…far than what he had ever expected.
"Honestly, I think it’s funny, because in my life, I don’t do anything particularly amazingly well so I don’t think I deserve any of the attention I’m getting. I’m no awesome looking guy, just decent looking, kinda smart, and a pretty good basketball player. But there are so many better basketball players around who are more intelligent and who earn more money. So it’s kinda humorous to me in a way, so I just live my life and have fun. It’s all fleeting anyway.
"The great thing about being an athlete is that it’s your job to be healthy, so there’s a very positive benefit in that. But when you’re working that hard, what really is important is that you get your rest. This job is a lot more draining than a nine-to-five job," he shares. On the contrary, Alex and the rest of the professional basketball players only have a day of rest, and a whole week of stress and strain. It all boils down on how they spend it. For Alex, it goes like church, home, movies…no detours and no cuts. He is also an active member of Champions For Christ, a ministry of athletes whose lives are devoted into bringing in more sportsmen to God.
And as though an athlete’s curse, Alex also escapes the dating scene and prefers to wait patiently. "I’m really excited about getting married and having kids and all, but that will come. Because what I used to do is look for it, but the more I search for the perfect girl, (the more) I end up getting stuck in a string of relationships. I’d rather just live my life, hang-out, and not be searching for it since I know it’s gonna come."
Left much room for disappointment? Worry not, for every dark cloud is a silver lining. "The most important thing in my life right now is my faith and that is nice to expect from a woman."
What’s your greatest achievement as an athlete?
Winning championships! When I was in high school, we won the State Basketball Championship. In the MBA, our team, the Batangas Blades, has already won two championships!
When and how did you start playing your sport?
I started playing in organized leagues when I was seven, but I have been playing ever since I can remember.
What makes an athlete?
Discipline, desire, and talent. Those make for a good start.
What breaks an athlete?
Lack of focus, poor work ethics, and bad habits off the court.
What’s your main motivation?
The game itself, since it’s so much fun!
What have you learned most from the sport?
One, discipline. Two, the drive…that you can do more and push yourself farther than you thought you could go. That’s perseverance.
If you were to choose between being the world’s most gorgeous heartthrob or being the world’s best athlete, which would you choose?
Best athlete. That requires more character than just looking great. Give me about 10 years and I’m gonna be fat and unattractive. There are gorgeous looking men and women out there who are born that way, but being a basketball player requires more effort as an athlete, a team player, and as a person.
What’s the most memorable thing a fan did to catch your attention?
Nothing crazy, really. They’re just so kind and give me lots of gifts. With regard to popularity, it’s kind of funny because I don’t do anything that really deserves a lot of praise. I just try not to take it too seriously; and I just remind myself that’s not really what life is all about.
What are the things you prioritize more than your sport?
God and family, for the obvious reasons.
What’s your break from all the stress and strain?
For me, it’s spending quite, quality time with God. He gives me peace.
When’s the finish line for you?
Whenever I either lose the desire to give 100% all the time, or I lose the ability to compete at a high level.
How would you encourage others to get into sports?
First, you have to have the desire, and you really have to enjoy the sport. It should be fun!
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