SYRACUSE, New York (Dec. 8, 2024) – On a snowy Sunday in Syracuse, Kayla Alexander’s legacy was cemented as her No. 40 jersey rose to the rafters of the JMA Wireless Dome during halftime of the Syracuse-Notre Dame NCAA women’s basketball game. 

Over a decade after she last suited up for the Orange, the two-time Olympian returned to campus to receive one of basketball’s greatest honours – a testament to her impact on the program and the sport.

“Well first, I am beyond honored,” Alexander said about the ceremony. “It’s still so surreal to me because in my head, I’ve always believed that people who get their jerseys in the rafters, like those are legendary people and to me, I’m just Kayla.”

The Milton, Ont., native arrived at Syracuse in 2009 and wasted no time rewriting the program’s history. Named to the Big East All-Freshman Team, Alexander led the team with 69 blocks in her debut season. Her game, and the team, only grew stronger from there.

By her sophomore year, she earned All-Big East First Team honours, leading the Orange in scoring, blocks, field-goal percentage, and free throws. Under her leadership, Syracuse advanced to the regional final of the 2011 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) and returned to the NCAA Tournament in her senior season – its first appearance since 2008.

Alexander’s dominance was more than just record-setting, it was program-defining. She left Syracuse in 2013 as the all-time leader in points (2,024), blocks (350), field goals (736), free throws made (552), and free throws attempted (750). Her name remains second in career rebounds (970) and she still holds single-season records for scoring (573 points, 2012-13), blocks (96, 2011-12), and field goals (151, 2012-13). She also tallied an astounding 31 career double-doubles.

On Sunday, fans, teammates, coaches, and family gathered to celebrate Alexander’s achievements in an emotional ceremony. A video tribute played across the Dome’s screens, and cheers echoed as her jersey was unveiled, lifting her name to a place few athletes achieve.

The two-time Olympian became just the second women’s basketball player in program history to receive the honour, joining current Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack in an exclusive club.

“​What Kayla represents is what it used to be here, that consistent winning,” said Legette-Jack. “Scoring over 2,000 points is not a small feat by far, but she did that from a big person's position, and it’s really going to be neat to see her number go in the rafters.”

For Alexander, the moment was about more than individual accomplishment. “You don’t get up there by yourself,” she said. “I had an incredible village of amazing people who helped me over the years from coaches in elementary and middle school, to my amazing coaches that I had at Syracuse University”

Alexander’s path has continued far beyond Syracuse. Drafted eighth overall by the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2013 WNBA Draft, she enjoyed a seven-year WNBA career with stints in San Antonio, Indiana, Chicago, and Minnesota.

Internationally, Alexander became a cornerstone for the Senior Women’s National Team, earning silver at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019 and representing Canada at two Olympic Games—Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024.

Off the court, Alexander has continued to inspire.

A published author, she illustrated The Magic of Basketball, a children’s book co-written with her sister Kesia, and is the co-founder of Tall Size, a clothing line dedicated to providing stylish, tall-friendly clothing for women, creating a community that celebrates confidence and empowerment.

From Milton, Ontario, to the rafters of Syracuse, Kayla Alexander’s career is a story still being written, but it remains one of perseverance, impact, and greatness. 

Her jersey now hangs as a permanent reminder of the program’s standard, and a testament to her indelible mark on the sport.