THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 10, 1995 TAG: 9502100633
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
Virginia guard Cory Alexander learned Thursday that for the second consecutive year his basketball season has ended prematurely because of a broken right ankle.
This time his college career may be over, too.
Alexander, who missed all but 12 minutes of the 1993-94 season, suffered a stress fracture in the same area as the old injury during Wednesday's game against North Carolina State.
Alexander is the second-leading scorer (16.6 ppg) for the 17th-ranked Cavaliers who are one game behind North Carolina and Maryland in the ACC standings.
Although the 6-foot-1 Waynesboro native has a year of eligibility remaining, he probably has played his final game for Virginia.
Alexander, an ESPN preseason second-team All-American, announced last October he would not play out his eligibility and pursue his longtime dream to play professionally after this season.
Although Alexander was not having the big season he expected, he had said earlier this week he would not return to Virginia next year even if he were not drafted by an NBA team.
He said he might play professionally in Europe if he did not receive an NBA offer.
A redshirt junior, he is scheduled to get his degree in the spring.
Virginia coach Jeff Jones called the injury ``cruel'' and did not rule out the possibility Alexander might play next year.
``I haven't looked ahead, but at some point I want to sit down with Cory and his parents and talk about his situation and his future,'' Jones said.
``But I don't want it to be a distraction for the team, and I am sure Cory doesn't want that. We will do what is in Cory's best interest and the team's best interest.''
Jones reportedly was upset that Alexander discussed his situation earlier this week in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Jones thought they had an agreement to not talk about the subject until after the season.
Alexander said he almost did not return to the team this season, but was talked into it by his parents.
He indicated the season has not been pleasant.
``I have to go (next year),'' Alexander said.
``I think everybody will be happier if I left. That is not to say we don't get along, that we hate each other or anything like that, but I think it would be best for me and the program.
``When we lose, it is my fault. When we win, it is a team effort.''
Alexander said he was sure Jones is looking forward to ``changing things up'' when he left.
Indeed, if Alexander did change his mind and returned, it could create a sticky situation.
Courtney Alexander (no relation), a blue-chip 6-5 point guard recruit from Durham, N.C., said one reason he chose Virginia was that Cory Alexander told him he was leaving, and that would open up early playing time for him.
Cory Alexander was named second team All-ACC as a sophomore when he averaged 18.8 points and had 144 assists.
When he went down in the opening game last year, freshman Harold Deane came on and led the Cavaliers to the championship game of the ACC tournament and into the NCAA tournament.
Alexander promised to retake control of ``my team'' this season, and both he and Deane struggled early while trying to blend their talents into the same backcourt.
``I am not able to do everything I can do, and Harold can't do everything he can do when I am out there,'' Alexander said last December.
But there was no friction between the two on the court, and in the last month they had begun to play much better together.
``This is a real tragedy,'' Deane said, ``because things really were coming together for him.
``He is likable person and everyone on the team respects him. He is up there with the great players in the nation, and this is a big loss for us.''
Deane did not seem surprised, however, by Alexander's remarks to the media this week.
``You have to understand Cory tells you exactly how he feels, and I respect him for that. He doesn't sugar-coat nothing,'' Deane said.
``He was trying to leave after a good season, but he started out this year average. It was kind of hard with him being in the spotlight and everyone expecting him to be Superman.
``Everyone can and does make mistakes, but when Cory makes mistakes they are looked at more closely than anyone else's.''
Deane, who moves back to the point position, said the team will deal with Alexander's absence as it did last year.
``I know what it takes for the team to be successful, and what I have to do out there to be successful,'' Deane said.
``Everyone feels terrible for Cory, but we've made this transition before, and we'll do it again.''
Virginia's next game is Saturday against Clemson. Jones said he probably would not announce his new lineup until game time.
Jones could insert freshman guard Curtis Staples into the starting lineup, or he could move Jamal Robinson from small forward to guard and start Jason Williford, who has played well lately in the frontcourt.
``We could go several ways, and what we do for the Clemson game might not be what we do for the remainder of the season,'' Jones said.
Jones said the Cavaliers will miss Alexander's confidence, which filtered out to his teammates, his 3-point shooting and his ability to penetrate defenses.
``He really has been a great team leader and did everything we asked him to do,'' Jones said. ``As hard as he worked to come back and have a good year, to have this happen again seems cruel.''
Jones said Alexander indicated he would continue to travel and associate with the team, as he did last season.
``I am sure Cory is very disappointed, but he is being businesslike about the situation,'' Jones said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Cory Alexander had said he wouldn't return to U.Va. after this
season, so his college career may also be over.
by CNB