For better or for worse, West Virginia’ s standout power forward Joe Alexander appears to be NBA bound.

“I think Joe’s gone,” was the statement WVU head coach Bob Huggins told legendary West Virginia sports writer Mickey Furfari Wednesday.

Some fans may think Alexander would be better off playing under Huggins for his senior year and potentially rise to a top five draft prospect for the 2009 NBA Draft.

Others may think he is ready to go pro.

There may be over a million other reasons waiting for Alexander once he signs a contract to join a NBA team.

The Mt. Airy, Md. native came on very strong for the Mountaineers during an impressive stretch run of games in March, including during the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

Performing well under the bright lights of New York City’s Madison Square Garden in the Big East Tournament and leading the Mountaineers past perennial powers Arizona and Duke in Washington D.C. during the NCAA Tournament apparently got someone’s attention.

Scouts seem to be high on Alexander’s hard work ethic and determination, as well as his potential to turn into an impact player in the NBA. Much of the NBA Draft is based around teams selecting players they think have the potential to make significant contributions to their team, whether
it be short term or long term.

The amazing part about this is, Alexander transformed into an athletic, gifted basketball player with the tough, Huggins-instilled attitude to compete, in just one year. Oh, and he learned how to play to win, too.

I had the opportunity to see the young man play in person during his sophomore slump and then his remarkably improved junior season. It is truly mind boggling to think this is the same player. He was all but forgotten during WVU’s NIT Championship season. Some of that had to do with the sensational play of forward Frank Young, the schools’ all-time leading three-point shooter. Alexander maintained his starting role throughout the season, but in many games, was not a factor.

What a difference a year can make. Alexander is now a NBA prospect. Most analysts and experts project him to be drafted in the first round.

“I think Joe definitely will go in the first round,” Huggins told Furfari. “Probably in the low teens: 12, 13, 14, 15.”

He will be missed at WVU, but this process is nothing new to Huggins. Many college players have turned out to be NBA players under the tutelage of the veteran coach.

“I’m very happy for Joe. He certainly would go with our blessing,” Huggins said to Furfari.

NBADraft.net projects Alexander to be the 13th player selected by the Portland Blazers and reports him to be 5th on their 2008 Big Board of Top 100 Prospects.

ESPN’s Chad Ford was impressed with Alexander’s workout in Las Vegas and claimed he may be the “sleeper in this year’s draft.” Ford also projects Alexander to be picked up by Portland with the 13th selection.

Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen has Alexander going to the Philadelphia 76ers as the 16th overall pick in his mock draft.

My sources, which are close to Alexander, tell me he is going pro.

The 2008 NBA Draft is June 26 at Madison Square Garden.

Alexander has until June 16 to withdraw from the draft and return for his senior season at WVU