Forwards impress Blazer brass

West Virginia's Alexander at top of list

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Jun 17, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (4 Reader comments)

West Virginia's Joe Alexander, who worked out for the Trail Blazers on Tuesday, shoots a jumper against Duke in this year's NCAA Tournament.

WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY IMAGES

Joe Alexander is the kind of player Kevin Pritchard and Nate McMillan like to call “an intriguing prospect.”

If the Trail Blazers are to obtain Alexander’s services through the June 26 draft, however, they might have to move up from their No. 13 position.

The 6-8, 230-pound forward from West Virginia may be gone by the time Portland’s number is called. Alexander was the most highly rated of four draft prospects who worked out for the Blazers Tuesday at their Tualatin training facility, and he evidently didn’t disappoint.

McMillan referred to Alexander’s work ethic as “unbelievable” after the workout, which included three other forwards – first-round prospects Donte Greene of Syracuse and Nicolas Batum of France along with Deron Washington, a four-year starter at Virginia Tech.

“He’s a guy not afraid of working,” the Portland coach said of Alexander, later saying the former Mountaineer reminds him of Chicago’s Andres Nocioni. “He is very physical, he is very athletic, he can shoot the ball and he’s a small forward who could play the four. The way the NBA’s going to the power forward being able to spread the defense (with his shot), I could see him having that type of versatility.”

“Versatility is something I bring to the table,” Alexander said with a nod. “I can post up, but I can also take guys off the dribble and shoot.”

Alexander, 21, did plenty of that at West Virginia as a junior this winter, especially late in the season. Over the last month, he had games of 32 points and 10 rebounds, and 34 points and seven rebounds against Connecticut; 32 and 6 vs. Pittsburgh; 29 and 10 against St. Johns and 22 and 11 in an NCAA Tournament win over Duke.

As a junior playing his first season under coach Bob Huggins, Alexander averaged 16.9 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting .462 from the field and .814 from the foul line. And he shot only 41 3-pointers (making 11), less than a third the number he attempted as a sophomore.

“In Huggins’ system, you have guys who shoot 3s, but he needed me to do other things,” Alexander said. “I can (shoot 3s), dependent upon what my team needs.”

Alexander decided only Sunday to stay in the draft.

“It was basically a decision between playing with my teammates another year, winning a national championship and learning from coach Huggins, or taking the plunge (to the NBA),” he said.

Learning that he is moving up on draft lists, and seems assured of being taken in the lottery, had a little to do with Alexander’s decision as well. He comes prepared.

“(Playing under) Bob Huggins is the best way to get ready for the NBA,” Alexander said. “If that’s your dream, I’d say let him coach you. In one year, my game has completely transformed. I went from a 3-point shooter who stays on the perimeter to a rebounder, post player and passer.”

Alexander worked out for New York, Milwaukee, Sacramento, Golden State and Charlotte before arriving at Portland, and will finish his tour Friday at New Jersey. That indicates he is likely to be chosen somewhere between the sixth and 14th pick.

“I think my stock has been rising,” he said. “I’ve been able to show certain skills that I didn’t demonstrate at the beginning.”

As for Portland, “a lot of things about this place appeals to me,” Alexander said. “One is the location. It reminds me a lot of where I’m from in Maryland. Nice people; also, I like rain. The other is it’s a young team, with guys who are passionate about the game.”

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit