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Joe Alexander (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Joe Alexander is an American
professional basketball player who currently plays for BC Krasnye Krylya Samara
of the Russian Professional Basketball League. Alexander, who at and 230 lb (104.3 kg) plays both forward positions, was selected for the 2007 All-Big East
squad during his collegiate career
with West Virginia
and was an All-American Honorable Mention. He was selected eighth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft
by the Milwaukee Bucks
. He is the first-ever Taiwanese-born NBA player
, Taiwan
, Alexander moved to Silver Spring
, Maryland
, U.S., when he was two. When he was eight, his family relocated to China
when his father got a job working for Nestlé
. Alexander lived for the next six years in China (in Hong Kong
for six months, and then in Beijing
) where he became conversant in Mandarin. While Alexander lived in Hong Kong, he attended the Hong Kong International School
in Tai Tam
. Alexander and his family lived in a separated ex-pat community with other Americans in Beijing. There he attended the International School of Beijing
from 1996–2002, where he first became acquainted with basketball. His brothers, John and Jeremy, became the first foreigners to win the Beijing High School basketball MVP award and did so in successive seasons.
Alexander then returned to the U.S. to live in Mt. Airy, Maryland, where he spent his junior and senior seasons playing for Linganore High School
. While he only played a minor role coming off the bench his junior year, his senior season he boasted averages of 14.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, which earned him first-team Monocacy Valley Athlete League Chesapeake conference honors. Alexander was named team captain his senior year and selected to the Frederick County all-star first team. He was named Mt. Airy Gazette player of the year, 2004 Frederick Gazette player of the year, earned first-team honors from the Frederick Gazette and Frederick News Post, and was on The Washington Post
' s honorable mention all-Met team. Alexander also set school records for blocks in a season (90) and season field goal percentage (58.0).
After high school, Alexander gained only limited attention from Division III schools (including Washington College
, where his brothers were playing) and some Division II programs. At that point, Alexander was 6'6" (1.98 m) and only 170 lb (77 kg); a Division I athletic scholarship was out of the question. Determined to make his dream a reality, he opted to attend Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia.
Playing behind Pitt star Sam Young and Villanova's Shane Clark, Alexander saw limited playing time while at Hargrave.
in 2005 after attending Hargrave Military Academy
for the 2004–2005 season. As a freshman, he played in 10 games, while starters Kevin Pittsnogle
and Mike Gansey
led the starting senior class. On November 13, 2005, Alexander scored his first collegiate basket against Wofford
. His best game his freshman year was against Washington & Jefferson College where he scored five points and blocked five shots on December 3.
on January 28, 2007, Alexander posted a career-high 23 points. With 1:30 seconds left in the game, West Virginia led 61–48 after Alexander's shot clock-beating 3-pointer and a three-point play. But from what looked to be a good season, Alexander's season declined in the second half. After an 11-point performance versus Providence
on February 2, Alexander went without scoring over double-digits for the rest of the regular season and the Big East
Tournament. Alexander also only totaled 18 points in the Mountaineers' NIT
run, which ended with a championship win over Clemson
on March 29. Alexander scored no points and grabbed one rebound in 16 minutes. His performances included a 4-point game in a 74–50 victory over Delaware State
on March 13, a 3-point game in a 71–66 win over North Carolina State
on March 20, a 2-point game in a 63–62 win over Mississippi State
on March 27. He averaged 10.3 points per game, 1.9 assists per game, and 4.3 rebounds per game for the season.
left the team for the head coaching job at Michigan
. Afterwards, West Virginia alumnus Bob Huggins
left Kansas State for the head coaching job at WVU. Huggins emphasizes strength training and as a result Alexander went from 210 pounds to 230 pounds and has often remarked that the training allowed him to avoid fatigue and weight loss.
In the season-opening exhibition game against Mountain State
, Alexander scored 19 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, totaled 5 blocks, and had one steal in the 88–65 win. In the 75–61 victory over New Mexico State
, Alexander scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The next game, a victory over UMES
, Alexander scored 22 points with 8 rebounds. In the 70–53 victory over Winthrop
, Alexander scored 19 points and again grabbed 10 rebounds. Alexander then scored 17 points in the victory over Auburn
and a then career-high 26 points over Duquesne
. Alexander scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds against Maryland-Baltimore County on December 15, then followed up with 20 points and 6 rebounds against Canisius
on December 22, 2007. In the 88–82 loss to Oklahoma
on December 29, Alexander scored 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, and in the loss to Notre Dame
on he only scored 9 points. He then put up 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the victory over Marquette
on January 6, 2008. However, in the January 10 loss to Louisville
, Alexander scored 22 points, including 14 straight in the second half. In the 73–64 victory over St. John's on January 17, he scored 15 points.
After dealing with injuries, Alexander bounced back on February 2, 2008 with 19 points and 8 rebounds in West Virginia's 77–65 away win against Providence
. On February 14 in the 81–63 victory against Rutgers
, Alexander totaled 15 points and 9 rebounds. Then in the 89–68 victory against Seton Hall
on February 17, he registered 13 points and 9 rebounds. In the 78–56 loss to Villanova
on February 20, Alexander scored 11 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. In the February 23 home game versus Providence
, Alexander scored 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in West Virginia's 80–53 win. In the 85–73 victory over DePaul
on February 27, Alexander scored 17 points to reach the 20-win mark for the season. In the 79–71 loss to Connecticut
on March 1, he scored a career-high 32 points and added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. The following game, on March 3, a 76–62 home victory over Pittsburgh
, Alexander tied his career-high of 32 points (on 10 of 16 field goals) set the previous game and also added 6 rebounds. He began his performance with his team up 40–30, when he scored six consecutive points to raise the score to 47–30 in the second half. Alexander finished the regular season in the 83–74 overtime victory over St. John's at Madison Square Garden
on March 8 with 29 points and 10 rebounds, including 7 in the extra period. For his efforts on the season—averaging team-highs of 16.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game—Alexander was named to the first-team All-Big East squad. He was the sixth Mountaineer in school history to earn first-team All-Big East honors.
In the start of the Big East Tournament, the Mountaineers beat Providence again, 58–53. Alexander contributed with 22 points and 6 rebounds. In the second round of the tourney, the Mountaineers upset the #15-ranked Connecticut Huskies
on March 13, 78–72. Alexander contributed with a career-high 34 points, the most ever by a Mountaineer in a Big East championship. He also added 7 rebounds. The game marked his third 30-point game of the season. However, as the Mountaineers lost in the semifinal matchup against the #8 Georgetown Hoyas
, Alexander finished the Big East Tournament with 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting, and 5 rebounds.
The Mountaineers' run to the semifinal round of the Big East Tourney propelled the team to a #7-seed in the NCAA Tournament
, with a first-round matchup against the #10-seed Arizona Wildcats
. ESPN
, in their West region breakdown, named Alexander the best player in the region next to UCLA's Kevin Love
. In the first-round victory over Arizona, Alexander scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. In the second-round victory over the #2-seed Duke Blue Devils
, he scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Mountaineers won 73–67. In the Sweet 16 75–79 overtime loss to #3 Xavier on March 27, Alexander scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the tournament.
Alexander finished his junior season leading the team with 16.9 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. Alexander was second on the team with 1.5 blocks per game and third with 2.4 assists per game and 31.6 minutes played per game. He finished the NCAA Tournament by averaging 18 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
, and later signed with an agent, forfeiting his college eligibility. Alexander was described as the best athlete on paper at the draft overall, by having the second most number of 185 lb bench reps (24), the second highest max touch (12' ½") and the second fastest ¾ sprint time (2.99 seconds). He was drafted 8th overall in the NBA Draft
by the Milwaukee Bucks
in June, and was signed by the team on July 8. In the 2008 NBA Summer League
, Alexander averaged 9.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while starting all five games. In a December 7, 2008 Bucks loss to the L.A. Lakers
, Alexander led the team in scoring with 15 points. Following the All-Star break, Alexander saw a streak of four consecutive games where he did not play. However, he rebounded in a loss to the Miami Heat
by totaling 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 20 minutes of playing time. He averaged 5.8 points for the month of January, the most of his rookie season in a month. In a March 30, 2009 win over the New Jersey Nets
, Alexander scored a career high 16 points. Alexander finished the season averaging 4.7 points in his 12.1 minutes per game.
In the offseason prior to the 2009-2010 season, starting forward Richard Jefferson
was traded to the San Antonio Spurs
, potentially freeing up playing time for Alexander.
On October 30, 2009 the Bucks declined Alexander's rookie contract option that would have added a third season to his rookie contract.
's Fort Wayne Mad Ants
on January 20, 2010.
along with Hakim Warrick
for John Salmons
.
minicamp before the 2011 NBA lockout
occurred.
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 59 || 0 || 12.1 || .416 || .348 || .699 || 1.9 || .7 || .2 || .5 || 4.7
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Chicago
| 8 || 0 || 3.6 || .167 || .000 || .667 || .6 || .3 || .1 || .1 || .5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 67 || 0 || 11.1 || .410 || .340 || .698 || 1.8 || .7 || .2 || .4 || 4.2
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player who currently plays for BC Krasnye Krylya Samara
BC Krasnye Krylya Samara
BC Krasnye Krylya Samara is a Russian professional basketball club from the city of Samara, Russia. The team played in the 2009-10 Russian Super League as a replacement for bankrupt CSK VVS, that is also from Samara.-External links:* *...
of the Russian Professional Basketball League. Alexander, who at and 230 lb (104.3 kg) plays both forward positions, was selected for the 2007 All-Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
squad during his collegiate career
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
with West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
and was an All-American Honorable Mention. He was selected eighth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
by the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
. He is the first-ever Taiwanese-born NBA player
Early life
Born in KaohsiungKaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Alexander moved to Silver Spring
Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 71,452 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous place in Maryland, after Baltimore, Columbia, and Germantown.The urbanized, oldest, and...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, U.S., when he was two. When he was eight, his family relocated to China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
when his father got a job working for Nestlé
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
. Alexander lived for the next six years in China (in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
for six months, and then in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
) where he became conversant in Mandarin. While Alexander lived in Hong Kong, he attended the Hong Kong International School
Hong Kong International School
Hong Kong International School is a prestigious international private school in Tai Tam and Repulse Bay, Hong Kong. Founded in 1966 by a group of Christian businessmen, HKIS spans from reception one to the twelfth grade. Its Lower and Upper Primary Divisions are located in Repulse Bay, and the...
in Tai Tam
Tai Tam
Tai Tam or Tytam is an area in Southern District on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Tai Tam means a big pool in the Chinese language which illustrates a triangular bay, namely Tai Tam Bay between Stanley Peninsula, D'Aguilar Peak and Tai Tam Tuk...
. Alexander and his family lived in a separated ex-pat community with other Americans in Beijing. There he attended the International School of Beijing
International School of Beijing
The International School of Beijing, also known as "ISB", is a non-profit private school in Shunyi province in Beijing, China. It is registered in China as an "independent school for foreign children." It is situated on a property, with facilities constructed specifically for the campus...
from 1996–2002, where he first became acquainted with basketball. His brothers, John and Jeremy, became the first foreigners to win the Beijing High School basketball MVP award and did so in successive seasons.
Alexander then returned to the U.S. to live in Mt. Airy, Maryland, where he spent his junior and senior seasons playing for Linganore High School
Linganore High School
Linganore High School is an American high school located in Frederick County, Maryland, near the city of Frederick. The school's mascot is the Lancer, and its colors are red and black.-History:...
. While he only played a minor role coming off the bench his junior year, his senior season he boasted averages of 14.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, which earned him first-team Monocacy Valley Athlete League Chesapeake conference honors. Alexander was named team captain his senior year and selected to the Frederick County all-star first team. He was named Mt. Airy Gazette player of the year, 2004 Frederick Gazette player of the year, earned first-team honors from the Frederick Gazette and Frederick News Post, and was on The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
After high school, Alexander gained only limited attention from Division III schools (including Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
, where his brothers were playing) and some Division II programs. At that point, Alexander was 6'6" (1.98 m) and only 170 lb (77 kg); a Division I athletic scholarship was out of the question. Determined to make his dream a reality, he opted to attend Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia.
Playing behind Pitt star Sam Young and Villanova's Shane Clark, Alexander saw limited playing time while at Hargrave.
Freshman season
Alexander enrolled at West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
in 2005 after attending Hargrave Military Academy
Hargrave Military Academy
Hargrave Military Academy is a private American boarding school located in the town of Chatham, Virginia.Hargrave is a school affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia emphasizing Christian values that focuses on a college and military preparatory program...
for the 2004–2005 season. As a freshman, he played in 10 games, while starters Kevin Pittsnogle
Kevin Pittsnogle
Kevin Lee Pittsnogle Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played for the Pittsburgh Xplosion of the CBA and the Austin Toros and the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA D-League....
and Mike Gansey
Mike Gansey
Michael Gansey is an American basketball player who played on an NBA roster for the Los Angeles Clippers on their 2007 Vegas Summer League team. After the summer league was over, he signed a contract for the 2007/08 season with the Italian team Indesit Fabriano...
led the starting senior class. On November 13, 2005, Alexander scored his first collegiate basket against Wofford
Wofford College
Established in 1854 and related to the United Methodist Church, Wofford College is an independent, Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts college of 1,525 students located in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. The historic campus is recognized as a national arboretum and features “The...
. His best game his freshman year was against Washington & Jefferson College where he scored five points and blocked five shots on December 3.
Sophomore season
Alexander finally started in the 2006–2007 season. Against DePaulDePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
on January 28, 2007, Alexander posted a career-high 23 points. With 1:30 seconds left in the game, West Virginia led 61–48 after Alexander's shot clock-beating 3-pointer and a three-point play. But from what looked to be a good season, Alexander's season declined in the second half. After an 11-point performance versus Providence
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
on February 2, Alexander went without scoring over double-digits for the rest of the regular season and the Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
Tournament. Alexander also only totaled 18 points in the Mountaineers' NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
run, which ended with a championship win over Clemson
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
on March 29. Alexander scored no points and grabbed one rebound in 16 minutes. His performances included a 4-point game in a 74–50 victory over Delaware State
Delaware State University
Delaware State University , is an American historically black, public university located in Dover, Delaware, and there are two satellite campuses located in Wilmington, Delaware, and Georgetown, Delaware...
on March 13, a 3-point game in a 71–66 win over North Carolina State
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
on March 20, a 2-point game in a 63–62 win over Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
on March 27. He averaged 10.3 points per game, 1.9 assists per game, and 4.3 rebounds per game for the season.
Junior season
After the NIT championship, head coach John BeileinJohn Beilein
John Beilein is an American college basketball coach and current men's basketball head coach at the University of Michigan. He is the 16th head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. The 2010–11 season was his fourth at Michigan, with whom he has a six-year contract...
left the team for the head coaching job at Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. Afterwards, West Virginia alumnus Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins, nicknamed "Huggy Bear", is the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team. Huggins previously held the head coaching positions at the University of Cincinnati and Kansas State University...
left Kansas State for the head coaching job at WVU. Huggins emphasizes strength training and as a result Alexander went from 210 pounds to 230 pounds and has often remarked that the training allowed him to avoid fatigue and weight loss.
In the season-opening exhibition game against Mountain State
Mountain State University
Mountain State University is a private nonsectarian university based in Beckley, West Virginia, United States. The university offers undergraduate and master's degree programs, as well as a doctoral degree program. Most of the university's programs focus on the professions in business,...
, Alexander scored 19 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, totaled 5 blocks, and had one steal in the 88–65 win. In the 75–61 victory over New Mexico State
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University at Las Cruces , is a major land-grant university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States...
, Alexander scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The next game, a victory over UMES
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore located on 776 acres in Princess Anne, Maryland, United States, is part of the University System of Maryland...
, Alexander scored 22 points with 8 rebounds. In the 70–53 victory over Winthrop
Winthrop University
Winthrop University is a public, four-year liberal arts university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. In 2006-07, Winthrop University had an enrollment of 6,292 students. The University has been recognized as South Carolina's top-rated university according to evaluations conducted by the South...
, Alexander scored 19 points and again grabbed 10 rebounds. Alexander then scored 17 points in the victory over Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
and a then career-high 26 points over Duquesne
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
. Alexander scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds against Maryland-Baltimore County on December 15, then followed up with 20 points and 6 rebounds against Canisius
Canisius College
Canisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
on December 22, 2007. In the 88–82 loss to Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
on December 29, Alexander scored 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, and in the loss to Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
on he only scored 9 points. He then put up 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the victory over Marquette
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
on January 6, 2008. However, in the January 10 loss to Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
, Alexander scored 22 points, including 14 straight in the second half. In the 73–64 victory over St. John's on January 17, he scored 15 points.
After dealing with injuries, Alexander bounced back on February 2, 2008 with 19 points and 8 rebounds in West Virginia's 77–65 away win against Providence
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
. On February 14 in the 81–63 victory against Rutgers
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
, Alexander totaled 15 points and 9 rebounds. Then in the 89–68 victory against Seton Hall
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
on February 17, he registered 13 points and 9 rebounds. In the 78–56 loss to Villanova
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
on February 20, Alexander scored 11 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. In the February 23 home game versus Providence
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
, Alexander scored 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in West Virginia's 80–53 win. In the 85–73 victory over DePaul
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
on February 27, Alexander scored 17 points to reach the 20-win mark for the season. In the 79–71 loss to Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
on March 1, he scored a career-high 32 points and added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. The following game, on March 3, a 76–62 home victory over Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, Alexander tied his career-high of 32 points (on 10 of 16 field goals) set the previous game and also added 6 rebounds. He began his performance with his team up 40–30, when he scored six consecutive points to raise the score to 47–30 in the second half. Alexander finished the regular season in the 83–74 overtime victory over St. John's at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
on March 8 with 29 points and 10 rebounds, including 7 in the extra period. For his efforts on the season—averaging team-highs of 16.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game—Alexander was named to the first-team All-Big East squad. He was the sixth Mountaineer in school history to earn first-team All-Big East honors.
In the start of the Big East Tournament, the Mountaineers beat Providence again, 58–53. Alexander contributed with 22 points and 6 rebounds. In the second round of the tourney, the Mountaineers upset the #15-ranked Connecticut Huskies
Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies, also known as the UConn Huskies, are the athletic teams of the University of Connecticut in the United States. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference for all sports except Men's Ice Hockey and Women's Ice...
on March 13, 78–72. Alexander contributed with a career-high 34 points, the most ever by a Mountaineer in a Big East championship. He also added 7 rebounds. The game marked his third 30-point game of the season. However, as the Mountaineers lost in the semifinal matchup against the #8 Georgetown Hoyas
Georgetown Hoyas
Georgetown's nickname is The Hoyas, but its mascot is "Jack the Bulldog." Various breeds of dogs have been used by the sports teams as mascots since the early 1900s. Several notable bull terriers like Sergeant Stubby and "Hoya" were used at football games in the 1920s, as was a Great Dane in the...
, Alexander finished the Big East Tournament with 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting, and 5 rebounds.
The Mountaineers' run to the semifinal round of the Big East Tourney propelled the team to a #7-seed in the NCAA Tournament
2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2007–08 basketball season...
, with a first-round matchup against the #10-seed Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats
-Athletic program:The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA's Division I-A in the Pacific-12 Conference Arizona participates in the conference's South Division, along with Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, and Utah...
. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, in their West region breakdown, named Alexander the best player in the region next to UCLA's Kevin Love
Kevin Love
Kevin Love, born in Des Moines, Iowa, is a former NASCAR driver. He ran five races in the 2004 Craftsman Truck Series season, all for Fiddleback Racing....
. In the first-round victory over Arizona, Alexander scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. In the second-round victory over the #2-seed Duke Blue Devils
Duke Blue Devils
Duke University's 26 varsity sports teams, known as the Blue Devils, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The name comes from the French "les Diables Bleus" or "the Blue Devils," which was the nickname given during World War I to the Chasseurs Alpins, the French Alpine light infantry...
, he scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Mountaineers won 73–67. In the Sweet 16 75–79 overtime loss to #3 Xavier on March 27, Alexander scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the tournament.
Alexander finished his junior season leading the team with 16.9 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. Alexander was second on the team with 1.5 blocks per game and third with 2.4 assists per game and 31.6 minutes played per game. He finished the NCAA Tournament by averaging 18 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
Milwaukee Bucks (2008–2010)
On April 9, 2008, Alexander declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
, and later signed with an agent, forfeiting his college eligibility. Alexander was described as the best athlete on paper at the draft overall, by having the second most number of 185 lb bench reps (24), the second highest max touch (12' ½") and the second fastest ¾ sprint time (2.99 seconds). He was drafted 8th overall in the NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
by the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
in June, and was signed by the team on July 8. In the 2008 NBA Summer League
NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League is a period during which NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups. Typically, there is a mix of rookies and some of the younger bench players to see how well some players work with others...
, Alexander averaged 9.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while starting all five games. In a December 7, 2008 Bucks loss to the L.A. Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Alexander led the team in scoring with 15 points. Following the All-Star break, Alexander saw a streak of four consecutive games where he did not play. However, he rebounded in a loss to the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
by totaling 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 20 minutes of playing time. He averaged 5.8 points for the month of January, the most of his rookie season in a month. In a March 30, 2009 win over the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Alexander scored a career high 16 points. Alexander finished the season averaging 4.7 points in his 12.1 minutes per game.
In the offseason prior to the 2009-2010 season, starting forward Richard Jefferson
Richard Jefferson
Richard Allen Jefferson is a 6 ft 7 in American professional basketball player currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association...
was traded to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, potentially freeing up playing time for Alexander.
On October 30, 2009 the Bucks declined Alexander's rookie contract option that would have added a third season to his rookie contract.
NBA D-League (2010)
After missing time because of a hamstring injury, he was assigned to the NBA D-LeagueNBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
's Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Fort Wayne Mad Ants
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants are a team of the NBA Development League, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is the home venue for the team. The team is the first minor league basketball franchise to play in Fort Wayne since the Fort Wayne Fury...
on January 20, 2010.
Chicago Bulls (2010)
On February 18, 2010, Alexander was traded to the Chicago BullsChicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
along with Hakim Warrick
Hakim Warrick
Hakim Hanif Warrick is an American professional basketball player in the NBA who is currently with the Phoenix Suns. Commonly nicknamed "Helicopter" and "Skinny", the 6'9", 219 lb forward was a major part the Syracuse Orange's run to the 2003 National Championship, often being most remembered...
for John Salmons
John Salmons
John Rashall Salmons is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA...
.
New Orleans Hornets (2010)
On September 20, 2010, Alexander signed with the New Orleans Hornets, but he was waived on November 13, 2010.Return to the NBA D-League (2010-present)
On November 26, Alexander was signed by the NBA D-League's Texas Legends. He had a successful 2010-11 season with the Legends averaging 20.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and was awarded a spot at the D-League's 2011 All-Star game. He was in an Atlanta HawksAtlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
minicamp before the 2011 NBA lockout
2011 NBA lockout
The 2011 NBA lockout is the fourth lockout in the history of the National Basketball Association . The owners began the work stoppage at 12:01 am EDT on July 1, 2011. The main issues dividing the owners and the players are revenue sharing and the structure of the salary cap...
occurred.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
| 59 || 0 || 12.1 || .416 || .348 || .699 || 1.9 || .7 || .2 || .5 || 4.7
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Chicago
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| 8 || 0 || 3.6 || .167 || .000 || .667 || .6 || .3 || .1 || .1 || .5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 67 || 0 || 11.1 || .410 || .340 || .698 || 1.8 || .7 || .2 || .4 || 4.2