Alex and his wife, Vanessa, established the Let’s Share Foundation in 1989 to serve the local community.
Hall of Famer Alex English and WIS Sports’ Rick Henry recently discussed basketball coach Dawn Staley’s legacy.
Staley will receive a significant honor on Wednesday afternoon, April 30, 2025, when her statue will be unveiled in front of hundreds of FAMS.
During the discussion, Rick asked Alex about his thoughts when Dawn was hired as the USC head basketball coach. Alex answered,
I thought they’re getting a Hall of Famer they’re getting an Olympia an Olympian and they’re getting a great coach i mean I didn’t know that she would be as great as she’s been but I felt that she would be a player coach a coach that knows players know where we needed to go and she was they were right
Alex English
Rick again asked Alex what made Dawn a great coach. He said,
i think she’s probably you know I haven’t been in her huddles but I think she probably relates to her players she’s honest with them uh she tells them uh not what they want to know but what they need to know and that’s what that’s the the mark of a good coach you’ve got to be able to relate to your players i mean she comes from Philadelphia you know she didn’t grow up in uh you know with silver spoon in her mouth so she knows these young ladies and she knows what it takes and she applies it you know she applies it in her coaching she applies it uh in their games and you can’t ask for any more
Alex English
They concluded the discussion by talking about Dawn’s legacy at USC. Alex said,
other than the the championships that she’s brought to state uh just the fact that she has been a person that was not just about basketball she was about uh she’s about what happens in the community what happens in this country and she speaks with a big voice so I I think that the legacy is going to be more than just basketball um and uh I’ve I’ve enjoyed enjoyed her and I think she’s still got a lot more to give us
Alex English
Hall Of Famer Alex English And His Wife, Vanessa, Filed A Suit Against The Hammond School
American former basketball player and coach Alex English married businesswoman Vanessa English. Their exact date of marriage has not been revealed.
In 1989, Alex and Vanessa established the Let’s Share Foundation to support needy children and families by providing essential resources, shelter, education, and care.
The couple successfully owned Wendy’s franchises in Columbia, South Carolina, for over 16 years and owned and operated a European Wax Center.
In 2006, Alex and Vanessa filed a suit against the Hammond School after their two sons were expelled.
As per the complaint, a member of the staff wanted their son, who was a senior at the school, to take a drug test.
This was after someone reported smelling an odor from a car in which their sons were passengers.
The family said they refused the request, and the school responded by breaking the contract with the parents and ending the student’s term at the school.
Alex and Vanessa said they didn’t want to put their son through trauma, and that’s why they refused the drug test.
They claimed that the school’s actions hurt their son’s achievement in sports and academics.
Alex English And Vanessa English Share Five Children
Alex and Vanessa welcomed five children: Jade-Li, Alexander Jr., Imani, William, and Joseph English.
Jade-Li English pursued her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in 2003. Her LinkedIn profile shows she was a Roc Nation public relations manager.
She was an agent, marketing director, and marketing manager at Octagon. She has been serving as the agent at Klutch Sports Group, LLC., since February 2022.
Alex’s son, Alexander English Jr., started his film-making career in 2003, working on set as an Art Department Production PA.
On the other hand, Alex’s son, Joseph, recently started his new startup AI company named SpookiAction.AI.
Imani and William have avoided social media, so little is known about their personal life.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Alex English was the first-ever director of player programs for the National Basketball Players Association.
- In 2018, following a short spout of online speculation caused by an initial comment on the Reddit forum, Alex had to release a statement declaring that he was not a British citizen.
- He attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia from 1972 to 1976. Over a four-year career, he started every game and was arguably the first African-American sports star at the school.
