
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, September 22, 1994                   TAG: 9409240044
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

UVA LANDS ANOTHER ALEXANDER

Although he did not take any paid campus visits, Courtney Alexander was pretty familiar with Virginia by the time he committed to the Cavaliers on Wednesday.

One month after his first unofficial visit to Charlottesville, Alexander and an older brother took another trip to the Virginia campus during the weekend.

``Virginia has always been at the top of my list,'' said Alexander, considered one of the nation's top 20 men's basketball prospects. ``I'm not saying they were No.1, but they were never behind.''

He said he chose Virginia because of the campus and the relationship he developed with the coaches and players, from senior Junior Burrough to freshman Curtis Staples.

Alexander, who averaged 29 points last season for Jordan High School in Durham, N.C., said his final decision came down to Virginia, Arkansas and Michigan. He also had a home visit from Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

``I think that situation is self-explanatory,'' said Alexander, who was offered a scholarship by the Blue Devils. ``They had six or seven guards and I didn't want to be put in that position.''

Alexander moved from Monroe, Conn., to Durham, N.C., after his sophomore year in high school. One older brother is a graduate of Duke's law school and a second played basketball at Norfolk State.

Alexander, who is related to 1994 Duke All-American Grant Hill, has no connection to either Cory Alexander or Chris Alexander on Virginia's team.

Indeed, Courtney Alexander does not expect to play with fourth-year junior Cory Alexander, who plans to make himself available to the NBA after this year.

``They've told me and Cory has told me that they've recruited me to replace him,'' said Courtney Alexander, a 6-foot-5 point guard. ``I can also play other positions.''

Harold Deane moved into the starting lineup when Cory Alexander was injured last season, ``but they've told me and Harold that we're versatile enough to play at the same time,'' Courtney Alexander said.

by CNB