Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502140033
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Alexander should remember that now after breaking the same ankle three days ago. He can graduate this semester with his recruiting class. He can leave the ACC for the NBA after his junior season. However, if he does so, he does it as damaged goods.
It's a bad break for the Cavaliers (14-6), who twice in less than 30 hours - starting today at Clemson - will begin to recall how life was last season without Alexander. Scoring will be more difficult. Good shots will come harder. However, Jeff Jones' offense won't be suffering as much as Alexander, whose lost opportunity to lead a team to the NCAA Tournament could be very costly.
``There's no way at all this helps Cory's [NBA] chances,'' one NBA scout said Friday. ``With the little guys, the point guards, the exposure and how you play in the postseason is pretty critical. That's especially true this year.''
Last year when Alexander was injured, he wore a cast, then brace, for about 10 weeks. He's been declared out for the season, but if he isn't in shape to play his best at the NBA draft camp in early June, his draft stature will slip even further.
All players, whether they play or not, go through a physical at that Chicago camp, and the X-ray of Alexander's ankle could be a picture worth a thousand words. ``Whatever he decides,'' said NBA scouting guru Marty Blake, ``the first thing Alexander needs to do is get completely healed.''
Alexander has to remember that an NBA season has about three times as many games as a college year. If his ankle isn't ready for that pounding, he's asking for the kind of chronic foot injury that has slowed too many NBA careers.
He went ahead and verbally declared his NBA intentions before this season. Now, he doesn't have to do that. He doesn't have to officially sign in for the draft until May 14. Even if he does, the Waynesboro native still has a month to rethink his position.
Alexander can even go through the draft and then return to UVa, but then if he's chosen, he's stuck because the drafting club will keep his rights for a year. Not only would that bring Alexander diminished returns financially, but he'd endure more pressure to play even better at UVa next season.
Alexander's presence has done wonders for UVa's offense. Last year through 20 games, the Cavaliers were shooting 39.3 percent, headed for a 38.7 finish. That's risen to 45.1 percent, while UVa's field-goal percentage defense has improved slightly, from 38.9 to 38.5 percent.
With Alexander on the floor, UVa's inside force, Junior Burrough, has had to play only against double- rather than triple-teaming when he gets the ball. That's one reason why Burrough today will join Ralph Sampson and Bryant Stith as the only players in UVa history with 1,700 points and 800 rebounds.
Point guards, historically, aren't high picks in the NBA draft unless they're a Kenny Anderson or Gary Payton. Arizona's Damon Stoudamire is the best of a playmaker group that scouts say is the deepest it has been in recent years, much more so than is expected in 1996.
Alexander's season has been on-and-off, too, aptly reflected in UVa's stunning comeback victory in double overtime a month ago at Duke. For 30 minutes that afternoon, you barely noticed Alexander. In the final 20 minutes, he owned the floor. His NBA profile was still being written, and now some scouts won't see him this season.
The Cavaliers will need inside help foremost next season, but there is no question UVa could use Alexander's offensive ability. A perimeter already filled by Alexander, Harold Deane, Jamal Robinson and Curtis Staples would be further crowded by recruit Courtney Alexander. In a pair of unrelated Alexanders and Deane, Jones would have three true point guards, but Cory Alexander's experience and late-game savvy can't be anything but pluses.
``I'd recommend he get well and come back next year,'' Blake said.
It's one thing for Alexander to declare he's ready for the NBA. It's another thing to be healthy enough to prove it.
by CNB