Like fellow one-and-done Jayhawk Kelly Oubre Jr., Kansas freshman forward Cliff Alexander won’t have a press conference to discuss [his decision to leave early and enter the NBA Draft][1].
An NCAA investigation into his eligibility that forced KU to keep Alexander off the court for the final eight games of the season surely had much to do with that.
The 6-foot-8 big man from Chicago played 28 games for Kansas, started six of those and finished his short-lived career as a Jayhawk averaging 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 56.6% from the floor and 67.1% from the free-throw line.
Despite unpredictable production on the floor and off-the-court issues surrounding an alleged extra benefit for a family member, Alexander says in a video released by KU Athletics that he will remember his time with the program fondly.
Alexander says his first trip to Allen Fieldhouse, the venue that became his temporary basketball home, really stands out for him.
> “It means a lot to me to know that a
> lot of great players have played in
> the fieldhouse,” Alexander says.
> “Basketball was invented here and one
> of the greatest coaches coached here,
> one of the greatest coaches still do
> coach here. It was just a great
> experience.”
*(Give Alexander a pass on that “basketball was invented here” part of it. Someone on campus probably told him that or he inferred it from the tales of KU lore. Of course, the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith, coached at Kansas from 1898 to 1907.)*
While the video doesn’t get into his reasons for leaving or his at times tumultuous season, it does give the young forward a chance to thank KU coach Bill Self and offer a final message to the Kansas fans.
> “Thanks for being with me, supporting
> me the whole way. I love you guys and
> miss you guys. Rock chalk Jayhawk.”
Alexander reached double figures in scoring nine times in his lone season in Lawrence and twice had double-digit rebound totals.
The potential first-round pick showed brief flashes of what he might some day become as a player, but you can see in this chart from [StatSheet.com][2] just how erratic a year he had.
Here is a look back at Alexander’s most productive games for Kansas:
– **Nov. 24 vs. Rider**: 10 points, 4 rebounds 4/4 FGs, 2/3 FTs in 13 minutes
– **Nov. 28 vs. Tennessee**: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5/6 FGs, 6/9 FTs in 20 minutes
– **Dec. 5 vs. Florida**: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2/4 FGs, 8/8 FTs in 19 minutes
– **Dec. 20 vs. Lafayette**: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4/6 FGs, 2/2 FTs in 17 minutes
– **Jan. 4 vs UNLV**: 10 points, 5 rebounds (4 offensive), 2 blocks, 5/12 FGs in 21 minutes
– **Jan. 10 vs. Texas Tech**: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 6/8 FGs in 15 minutes
– **Jan. 19 vs. Oklahoma**: 13 points, 13 rebounds (7 offensive), 3 assists, 4/7 FGs, 5/7 FTs in 23 minutes
– **Jan. 24 at Texas**: 15 points, 9 rebounds (5 offensive), 6/11 FGs, 3/6 FTs in 27 minutes
– **Feb. 10 at Texas Tech**: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4/5 FGs, 2/3 FTs in 20 minutes
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2015/apr/07/cliff-alexander-leave-ku-after-one-season-enter-nb/
[2]: http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams
