Speaking of premier 2030 names from the Midlands, Alexander has played for another school that is set to move back down to 4A in 2026-27 – Westwood. She has spent her spring AAU months wearing the Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite uniform. The 2025-26 season would see Alexander’s Redhawks finish with a 17-11 record. She played in all 28 of Westwood’s contests last season while averaging 11.3 points, three rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. Alexander was one of only two eighth graders that were part of the roster for coach Gregory Bauldrick’s Westwood assembling this past season. 

Considering Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite is among the premier travel programs in the state, it should not be a surprise to see many of their talents playing up in class. Alexander is one of them. She got her day in Rock Hill started with an impressive performance, tallying 16 points as her team dominated Next Level Prospects 15U. Alexander is an all-around playmaker that opposing defenses have to watch out for at all times when she is on the floor. She is an at-will scorer that also helps her team with her rebounding and defensive efforts. Alexander has played at the varsity level since she was a seventh grader and averaged 11.3 points, three rebounds and 1.7 steals per game last season for 5A Division 2 Westwood. She played in 28 games last season for a Redhawks team that will move back to 4A next season. 

Whenever Alexander is on a basketball court, fans of 5A Division 2 Westwood get a glimpse of the bright immediate future the Redhawks have. Even though the first day of this year’s Beach Ball Classic saw the Redhawks finish 0-2, Alexander finished with eight points against Deep Creek – a team from Virginia. There is a reason why Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite wanted her in their uniform during the spring and summer AAU months. Alexander will collect her fair share of steals, understands the art of making plays in transition and can either attack the rim or drain 3-point attempts. She had another eight-point showing against 5A Division 2 St. James. 

Alexander is a Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite product – and she has been playing like one in the early going for 5A Division 2 Westwood. She has earned herself starting five status with coach Gregory Bauldrick’s Redhawks and is a reason why those Redhawks are 4-2 early on. Those four wins have come at the expense of one of the tougher 2A teams in the state in Burke, a 3A team in Georgetown and 4A teams Richland Northeast and Colleton County. As of this writing, Alexander is second on the team in scoring, averaging 9.2 points per game. She is also third among Westwood players in assists, averaging 1.5 per contest. 

It is hard to believe that Amari is a 2030. She plays the game with such ease and poise. She is a three-level scorer that knows how to cut to the basket, create her own shot off the dribble and knock down 3s. It will be fun to watch her continue to grow and mature as a player. I know those coaches over at Westwood are excited about the future.

Alexander may be an eighth grader, but she displayed her talents, poise and confidence against her peers who have more experience than she does. As a seventh grader for coach Gregory Bauldrick’s 5A Division 2 Westwood team, Alexander showcased that she is the immediate future for the Redhawks. Alexander averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals as a seventh grader for Westwood. Making transition plays, connecting on 3-point attempts, turning defense into offense and combining height with length are among the many positive attributes to a game that one can imagine how it will be developed once she gets more experience under her belt. 

The 2024-25 version of Westwood may not have had the season previous Redhawks teams enjoyed, but its fans – and coach Gregory Bauldrick – have a reason to be excited for the future. Alexander made sure Westwood’s move from 4A (where it once reached a state championship) to 5A Division 2 was a bit less daunting. She averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in the 28 games where she sported a Westwood uniform. The Palmetto 76ers/A’ja Wilson Elite organization knows how to get Palmetto State prospects prepared for the next level and it may have spotted another hidden gem in Alexander.