The first season with Brad Soderberg as Lindenwood University’s men’s basketball coach was a resounding success. Now that success is spilling over to the recruiting trail.
Two NCAA Division I transfers – St. Charles West alums Alex Bazzell and Kramer Soderberg – will suit up for the Lions next year.
Bazzell, is coming back to his hometown after playing a year at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. With the Kangaroos, Bazzell played all 29 games, and started in 17. The 6’1” guard averaged 3.4 points and 1.4 rebounds a game to go along with a 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio.
“I enjoyed my time at UMKC and it was a great learning experience to play Division One basketball,” said Bazzell. “But I am really excited to be part of the Lindenwood Lion basketball program. We are going contribute to a new attitude in Lion basketball and we are ready for it. We hope St. Charles is too.”
Bazzell will be reunited at Lindenwood with his high school coach, Terry Hollander, who was recently hired as an assistant coach at LU. Bazzell will play alongside his old high school teammate, Kramer Soderberg, Coach Brad Soderberg’s son. Kramer Soderberg is transferring to Lindenwood from Miami-Ohio.
“Being able to play under Coach Hollander again is something I am really looking forward to,” said Bazzell. “The four years I spent with Coach were the four best years of my life.
“I also always wanted to play for Coach Soderberg, and now I get to play for him and in my hometown,” Bazzell continued. “I am also really excited to be able to play with Kramer again. My brother is the only other person that I have as much chemistry with on the court than Kramer. It seems like we always know where each other is and know the best time to get each other the ball.”
During his time at St. Charles West, Bazzell was a three-time all-conference player, including first-team honors as a junior and senior. He was also twice named to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch second-team all-metro team. During his final season as a Warrior, he was named conference MVP and all-state selection after he averaged 16.9 points, five assists, and 2.5 steals a game.
As a tandem at St. Charles West, Bazzell and Soderberg were one of the best duos to come out of the school since Ryan and Troy Robertson, who both played Division I basketball. With all of the success Bazzell and Soderberg had at St. Charles West they will now look to parlay that into even bigger goals at Lindenwood.
“We expect to come in and contend for a national championship,” Bazzell said. “Another goal will be to win a conference championship and to change the way people think. Last year, things definitely changed for the better. People were starting to come out to the games. Next season we want to fill the place up. Lindenwood basketball can be a big boost for the community.”