BIO: Alex Starling was born in Miami, Florida where he grew up in Richmond Heights and attended Leewood Elementary and Richmond Heights Middle School.

He starred at Miami Killian Senior High School, where his standout senior campaign in 2006/07 earned him First Team All-Dade, Second Team All-State, First Team All-District, and the school’s Male Athlete of the Year award. That season, he averaged 20.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

Following a four-year collegiate basketball career in the NCAA with Bethune–Cookman University, Starling was introduced to Australian Rules Football through the Sydney Swans in 2011. He participated in the AFL Draft Combine in California and later signed a two-year, $180,000 international scholarship deal with the Swans in 2012. While completing his business administration degree, he travelled between the US and Sydney to train with the club. However, a lingering stress fracture in his leg ended his AFL ambitions before he could make the senior list.

In December 2013, he moved to Melbourne to pursue a VFL career with the Frankston Football Club, but the deal fell through. He relocated to Adelaide in early 2014 and began training with the Port Adelaide Magpies, who were considering him for an AFL international rookie spot. After the club chose Irishman Daniel Flynn for the position, Starling declined the offer to prove himself through the Magpies’ SANFL side and instead returned to basketball full time—a decision that would eventually see him sign with the Adelaide 36ers.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Alex Starling made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 34 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

Adelaide’s second disappointing season under CJ Bruton ended with a 13-15 record and eighth place, prompting another reshaping of the roster. Contracted imports Robert Franks (to Nagoya) and Antonius Cleveland (to Tel Aviv) were allowed to leave, while Anthony Drmic (to Tasmania), Ian Clark (to Melbourne), Kai Sotto (to Hiroshima), and long-serving big man Daniel Johnson (to South East Melbourne) also departed.

Bruton brought former 36ers Jason Cadee (via Brisbane), Isaac Humphries (via Melbourne), and Jacob Wiley (via Bayamón) back to Adelaide, while Next Star Trentyn Flowers, Alex Starling, Trey Kell III (via South East Melbourne), and import Jamaal Franklin joined the group. Franklin was released during the NBL Blitz, only days before the regular season began.

On May 23, 2023, Starling officially became an Australian citizen and signed a one-year deal with Adelaide for the NBL24 season. The 34-year-old had first arrived in Australia as an international rookie with the Sydney Swans in 2011 before returning to basketball, where he won three South Australian championships, two Woollacott Medals and multiple defensive awards.

“Alex has been dominating at the local level for several years, and now he has the opportunity to take the next step,” Adelaide head coach CJ Bruton said after signing Starling.

“Everyone speaks highly of Alex—he’s a proven winner, plays both ends of the floor at a high level, and it’s fantastic that he’s become an Australian citizen. His energy and athleticism will make us a better team.”

Adelaide opened its season at Nissan Arena on September 29, where Starling (2 points and 3 rebounds) made his NBL debut and played 9:29 minutes off the bench, but Brisbane won 86-71. Humphries (17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Wiley (15 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led the 36ers, while Sobey (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Brisbane’s best.

Starling (3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 25 games) came off the bench in every appearance, providing Adelaide with physical rebounding, defensive versatility, energy and athleticism during his first professional basketball season.

Starling’s best all-round game came against Tasmania on December 2, where Starling (4 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) filled every column in 17:41 minutes, but the JackJumpers defeated Adelaide 94-59. Vasiljevic (15 points and 3 rebounds) and Wiley (14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) were the 36ers’ leading scorers, while Doyle (20 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Tasmania. Adelaide shot 29 per cent from the field and made only 2-of-11 three-pointers, producing its equal-lowest score of the 40-minute era, with Bruton and the club parting ways four days later and assistant Scott Ninnis taking over.

Starling’s best scoring game came in Hobart on February 4, where Starling (10 points and 1 rebound) made 4-of-5 from the field in 16:20 minutes as Tasmania defeated Adelaide 109-86. Kell III (29 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Vasiljevic (21 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) led the 36ers, while McVeigh (26 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) was Tasmania’s best as Starling reached double figures for the only time during his debut season.

Vasiljevic (19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) joined after Adelaide’s 1-4 start and became its leading scorer, while Kell III (17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) and Humphries (15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks) both delivered career-best seasons. Wiley (10.5 points and 7.2 rebounds), Galloway (5.7 points and 3.4 rebounds), Cadee (5.5 points), and Flowers (5.2 points) were the other main contributors as Ninnis guided Adelaide to a 5-1 January and brought the club back into the postseason race. The 36ers finished second in the NBL for rebounding at 43.5 per game but ranked last in three-point shooting at 29.9 per cent.

Adelaide closed the season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on February 18, defeating New Zealand 76-70 behind Vasiljevic (25 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Humphries (15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block), while Jackson-Cartwright (24 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Breakers. The result left the 36ers ninth with a 12-16 record, one win and percentage outside the Play-In Tournament, while Starling (0 points and 1 rebound) played 8:36 minutes.

2024/25
Adelaide’s failure to reach the postseason in 2023/24 brought another roster reshuffle, with Mitch McCarron (to New Zealand), Trentyn Flowers (to Los Angeles Clippers), Jacob Wiley (to Spain), Tohi Smith-Milner (to Brisbane), Kyrin Galloway (to Cairns), Trey Kell III (to Illawarra), and Akech Aliir (to Melbourne) departing. Mike Wells replaced Scott Ninnis as head coach, while Kendric Davis (via Santa Cruz), Lat Mayen (via Cairns), Ben Griscti (via UC Riverside), Patrick D’Arcy (via Sturt), and Jarell Martin (via Galatasaray) joined the returning group.

Starling re-signed on a one-year deal after playing 25 games during his debut NBL season. He entered NBL25 after another dominant campaign with South Adelaide, winning his third Woollacott Medal along with NBL1 Central Best Defensive Player and All-Star Five honours.

Adelaide began its season against Sydney at HoopsFest on September 22, where Starling (0 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) played 8:01 minutes off the bench in a 102-94 loss. Mayen (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Vasiljevic (23 points) led the 36ers, while Adams (25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) was Sydney’s best.

Starling (0.5 points and 2.3 rebounds across 4 games) remained a depth forward during Adelaide’s opening month. His best game came against Illawarra on October 5, where Starling (2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) played 10:13 minutes and opened the second quarter with a tip dunk as Adelaide defeated the Hawks 102-100. Davis (32 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Vasiljevic (18 points and 5 rebounds) led the 36ers, while Kell (29 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) starred for Illawarra.

His final appearance came against Melbourne on October 13, where Starling (0 points and 1 rebound) played 3:48 minutes in a 106-79 loss. Five days later, Adelaide deactivated Starling and Montrezl Harrell replaced him on the active roster after converting his injury-replacement agreement into a full-season contract.

Alex Starling played two seasons with the Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 29 NBL games.