Joe Alexander Named NBDL Player Of The Week

Former Mountaineer, Joe Alexander, has not found a place in the NBA yet, but has asserted his role as one of the best players in the NBDL.

Alexander's team, the Texas Legends, needed to have a big week in order to cement their place in the NBDL Playoffs. Alexander had a huge week, leading the Legends to a 2-1 record over the last week of the regular season. During those three games he had averages of 32.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and shot nearly 67% shooting from the field. The Legends will now play the Tulsa 66'ers at home in the first game of a three game series on Wednesday night. 

Alexander finished his first season in the NBDL averaging 20.2 points (7th in the league) and 10.4 rebounds  per game. He ranked 2nd in the league in double-doubles and 2nd on his team in both categories.

Some people think highly of Alexander's Legends squad as they pursue an NBDL Championship. Another former Mountaineer, Mike Gansey, occasionally writes for Ridiculous Upside, a website that focuses on the NBDL and the NBA Draft. Gansey believes that the Legends can win the championship in his preview of the NBDL Playoffs.

Alexander was on the Gatorade Call-Up watch list for most of the season. It's a list that names players that are the most likely to sign with an NBA team. Look for Alexander to get a chance to latch on to an NBA roster next year as his game has become more well-rounded in the Development League.

Mike Perelli with Basketball Communications for the NBA gave us the heads up on this. He sent along the press-release for the announcement as well. 

 

TEXAS’ JOE ALEXANDER NAMED NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PERFORMER OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK, April 4, 2011 – Joe Alexander of the Texas Legends was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of March 28.

Alexander, a 6-8, 220-pound forward out of West Virginia, who was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, led the Legends to a 2-1 record on the week, averaging 32.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists, shooting 66.7 percent (40-60) from the field.

Alexander, who has played with the Bucks and Chicago Bulls, scored 24 points in a 132-112 win over Springfield on Wednesday, and had a game-high 38 points, to go along with seven rebounds and three blocks in a 120-118 loss at Austin on Thursday. On Saturday, needing a win to secure a spot in the NBA D-League Playoffs, Alexander tallied 36 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, leading the Legends to a 134-128 win at Austin in double overtime.

This week’s honorable mention selections were Austin’s Aubrey Coleman, who averaged 23.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals in three games; Bakersfield’s Willie Warren, who, on assignment from the Clippers, averaged 27.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in three games; Erie’s Ivan Johnson, who averaged 24.0 points 12.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.0 steals in two games; Fort Wayne’s Darnell Lazare, who averaged 24.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals in two games; Idaho’s Antoine Walker, who averaged 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in two games; Iowa’s Marqus Blakely, who averaged 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in two games; Maine’s DeShawn Sims, who averaged 29.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games; New Mexico’s J.R. Giddens, who averaged 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games; Reno’s Bobby Simmons, who averaged 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games; Sioux Falls’ Raymond Sykes, who averaged 32.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in two games; Texas’ Rashad McCants, who averaged 23.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games; Tulsa’s Latavious Williams, who had 22 points and 17 rebounds in one game; and Utah’s Brandon Costner, who averaged 20.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in four games. 

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league.  Featuring 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises, the NBA D-League is a proven developer of talent: 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, and the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams.  In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs.  The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA.  Throughout the league’s 10^thseason, fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA FUTURECAST, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast. 

 

We here at the Smoking Musket would like to congratulate Joe on his achievement.