Spotted out in high school gym class, Sam Buxton was told that he had potential to be a great athlete, and his love for the game began there. Currently a junior at the University of North Alabama, he is making a name for himself in Flowers Hall.

Former Notre Dame player, Randy Haefner, had transferred to south Gibraltar to coach an amateur league basketball team when he noticed Buxton. Within the following year, Buxton grew several inches and everything fell into place. After the death of his brother and sister at an early age, he was able to channel his anger onto the court, pushing his determination to be a better athlete further.

Leaving behind the United Kingdom, Buxton wanted to play a higher level of basketball. He spent his first two years in the U.S. at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. “I was younger and took those two years to blend into the college atmosphere,” Buxton said. During his time there he focused on his talent.

Before he started his junior year, Buxton toured UNA’s campus and was impressed by what he saw. “I liked the fact that Coach Champagne went out of his way to take me around campus,” he recalled. He continued to explain that at other colleges he visited, it was the assistant coaches that gave him the tour, never the head coach.

From his short time at UNA, he has already learned that it’s the small things that matter. He believes to be part of a good team it is necessary to have chemistry on and off the court. The team can be often found together playing Xbox or watching TV.

Recently Buxton has branched out and is learning to cook. Fellow teammate Doug Hunter helps with the process, throwing in spices and other ingredients, keeping the meal healthy. Buxton loves to cook pastas, especially lasagna.

Aside from cooking, Buxton is also musically gifted. While in St. Louis he played guitar in a band. He wrote and sang blues and acoustic music. Focusing on school and basketball has presently left him without time to play his songs.

Singing to an audience and playing basketball in front of his fans allow him to showcase his skills. When he’s performing music he feels more laidback and in the moment. However, in basketball he’s more aggressive. “I just want to be a lion,” he said.

For the remainder of the season, his prime goal for the team is to come first in conference play. “Things have looked bright for us after Christmas and New Year’s,” he said. A second goal, he added, was to not lose any more games.

Buxton plans to play for the Lions his senior year and to receive his degree in business from UNA. After graduation he wants to attend St. Mary’s University College in London to study law.