Rogat brings work ethic, drive from Austria to Chapman

After playing high school basketball in Vienna, Austria, sophomore Alex Rogat has found his way to Chapman University and now is a starter for the Panthers men’s basketball team. JACK CLENDENING Staff Photographer

In the bustling streets of Vienna, Austria, Alex Rogat towered over the people he stood beside. If you were Rogat’s 6’8” in the United States, you’d likely be asked if you played basketball. However, as he took public transit through the city in his European hometown, he was instead often asked whether or not he played volleyball.

“[My basketball team was] in the newspaper, TV, and people would still think I played volleyball,” Rogat said.

Born in Cologne, Germany, Rogat began playing basketball at age eight. At 14, he and his family moved to Vienna, where Rogat attended high school. In addition to the change in geographic location, the new school marked the first time he had to speak English in class, which he described as a completely different experience than he was used to. Despite an adjustment to a new location and experience, basketball provided a sense of continuity during it all.

“I walked into this championship-caliber program with great coaches. We came in first my first year, but I just came in for the end so it didn’t feel like I earned it,” Rogat said of his tenure with the Danube City Timberwolves of Vienna, Austria. “The year after that was different. We won three (national titles) in a row. It was a great time.”

In his senior year of high school, Rogat’s storybook run was sidetracked by an ACL and meniscus tear, which sidelined him for the Timberwolves’ eventual run through the championship tournament. After he graduated in 2018, Rogat came to the United States to play a year at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania while rehabilitating his knee. He soon came to find out that American basketball had a much different style than what he was used to.

“Coming here, it’s so competitive,” Rogat said. “We go to college for free at home; then you come here, it’s like a livelihood. People fighting for the opportunity to go to college.”

Rogat spent a season at Mercersburg, and subsequently a season at Chestnut Hill College, a Division-II college in Philadelphia. However, due in part to a personal connection with Chapman head coach Mike Bokosky, Rogat transferred to Chapman to begin his second season of collegiate basketball. Bokosky’s connection to Rogat ran throughout the latter’s career in the United States, as they’d been in contact since Rogat’s first year at Mercersburg Academy in 2017.

“Alex initiated an inquiry to Chapman out of high school. He went to prep school and I continued to stay in touch with him,” Bokosky said. “After last year he contacted me and I said ‘Yes I’m still interested, I always have been.’ I’m glad he selected us. I’m glad he came here.”

Rogat’s three years in the United States have seen him play on three different teams, a far cry from the consistency of his four-year tenure with the Danube City Timberwolves. Rogat’s diverse experience within his career has created a mindset of continuous learning which has helped ease his transition.

“Having an open mind and being willing to do different things to get on the court and get playing time are very important,” Rogat said. “I think a lot of young guys struggle with that – I know I did my freshman year. You have to throw your ego out of the window and learn from the guys who have done it before you and proven that they can win.”

In Rogat’s first season at Chapman, he worked his way from a reserve to a starting role. Senior teammate Colin Ferrier noticed Rogat’s hard work, willingness to learn and tough mentality that he’s accrued from the grind of previous seasons’ deep playoff runs.

“He has a winning mindset; it doesn’t really matter how well he does, he’s just looking for how he can help the team,” Ferrier said. “I think that’s why he’s such a great teammate - he isn’t selfish, he really wants to help the team and do whatever’s best.”

As Rogat continues to get more experience with the program, he uses lessons learned from his transition to basketball in the United States as motivation.

“There are always going to be people standing in front of me, more athletic, more talented, more hungry, but I have to get what I want and offset that with my hard work,” Rogat said.