Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 21, 1995 TAG: 9502210081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``As of now, nothing's changed,'' said Alexander, who announced in October that he would turn pro following the 1994-95 basketball season. ``I've been thinking about this for two years now and that's [still] the way I feel.''
It was the first time Alexander had spoken to the media since he was injured Feb. 8. And, according to Virginia coach Jeff Jones, there will be no more interviews on the subject.
``Cory didn't want to be here today,'' said Jones, who has been a little touchy when asked repeatedly about Alexander's future. ``He smiled and he answered all your questions up front, [but] Cory's hurting inside.
``He's dealing with it as best as he can. You're talking about a young guy, who, while his whole life isn't basketball, it's something that's very, very important to him. Now, it's been taken away from him twice.''
Although Alexander is in his fourth year at Virginia, he could return next season.
``There's a very slim chance that would happen,'' said Alexander, who missed virtually the entire 1993-94 season after suffering a fractured right ankle in the opening game.
``There's no way I'm going to paint myself into a corner. We'll see in June where I'm drafted - or if I'm drafted. Even then, there would be a decision to be made. It's still possible I wouldn't stay.''
It was never Alexander's intention to play college basketball for four years. On the day he signed with Virginia, he mentioned the possibility of going pro after two seasons. And, if he hadn't been hurt last season, he might have been gone after his third year.
``Last year was different,'' he said. ``Last year I didn't have my degree. [Sophomore] Harold Deane is perfectly capable of running Virginia's basketball team. In my opinion, not to put any pressure on anybody, Harold Deane's will be the next jersey to hang in the rafters.''
Maybe Alexander's best move was when he attended both sessions of summer school, then took 19 credit hours in the fall. He needs only nine hours (three courses) for his degree.
``Going through this university in four years isn't easy,'' Alexander said. ``To be this close after three and a half years, there's no chance I won't finish. I'm just glad I won't have to go around hopping to five or six classes.''
Alexander leads the team in scoring with 16.6 points per game and has a team-high 110 assists despite missing the past six games. Few people thought he was injured seriously when he went down in the 11th minute of the Cavaliers' home game with North Carolina State.
``Basically, I just jammed my foot backward,'' said Alexander, who did not actually collide with State guard C.C. Harrison, as it first appeared. ``At first, I thought it was just a sprain. But as soon as I woke up in the morning, I knew it was broken. I didn't even have to go to the hospital for the tests.''
Alexander said he has been told that he can resume playing in six to eight weeks, but he is not inclined to return to uniform. He realizes the effect his return would have on team chemistry, particularly next season, when sixth man Curtis Staples is targeted for a starting job and prize recruit Courtney Alexander (no relation) is expecting significant playing time.
``I've been assuming that Cory's not coming back since October,'' Jones said, ``but the door has always been open. We have plenty of scholarships. If he does come back, he comes back and we deal with it.''
Jones said he would solicit information and opinions ``at a time that is appropriate for me,'' presumably after the season, and meet with Alexander and his family.
``These are people I definitely want involved in the process,'' said Alexander, referring to Jones and ex-UVa assistant Brian Ellerbe, now the head coach at Loyola of Baltimore. ``I feel it's in my best interest to wait till they're available to help me.''
At times, Alexander sounded as if he still had a decision to make, but he left little question in which direction he was he leaning.
``He's not coming back,'' said teammate Jason Williford, who attended the interview session. ``That's the way I heard it. I was one of the people telling him he ought to stay.''
Alexander has said on more than one occasion, including Monday, that he wants to go out with fellow recruits Junior Burrough, Yuri Barnes and Williford.
``I think I had a pretty good career for the time I was out there,'' Alexander said. ``I think we brought Virginia basketball back to where it used to be. We brought back a little confidence [and] a little arrogance that we could play with anybody.''
For Alexander, that goes for the next level, as well.
``I know I'm not a lottery pick and I might not have been a lottery pick if I'd been healthy all year and averaged 40 points in the NCAA Tournament,'' he said. ``If it takes the CBA [or] it takes Europe, that's fine. I feel I'm talented enough and smart enough that I'll be on somebody's NBA team very soon.''
by CNB