Spring Combine Recapture: Joshua Alexander

Joshua Alexander, 6'4" WG (Clarksville Northeast) -- 2021

• PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star Selection
• Standing Reach -- 101" or 8'5"
• 6'4" 182 pounds
• Wingspan -- 6'9"
• Vertical -- 20.5"
• Hand Length -- 9"
• Lane Agility -- 12.33, 11.99
• Spring Combine Ranking -- #3

COLLEGE PROJECTION: Division II-Low Major

A 6-foot-4 sophomore, Josh Alexander is still in the process of maturing into a wing attacker.  Because his soft touch around the rim is so consistent he often drifts into the lane late in possessions.  Alexander is a really sound Class AAA combo forward with long arms (6-foot-9 wingspan) and wonderful offensive rebounding instincts.  As good as Clarksville Northeast's Alexander is in close his future exists as a 2/3 defender with versatility.

The +5 wingspan is fantastic.  Most elite basketball players feature numbers in this realm.  Alexander's vertical jump of 20.5" is surprisingly low.  Both Sunday and during his high school season Alexander appeared to be slightly above average athletically than Class AAA-caliber varsity players.  He saw his minutes taper off in February for a surging Northeast team.  When he played a lot he was never outmatched athletically or physically.  These, to the eye, seem to be strengths.  Again his vertical does not report he is the leaper his game usually reveals.

In a combine littered with strong shooters, Alexander did more in tight and owned the glass.  Nobody was able to body him off his preferred rebounding launchpads.  At 182 pounds, Alexander was the second heaviest camper though not even kind of overweight.  Lean muscle and powerful.  

Skills that need improving include finishing with the off hand, outside shooting.  Alexander's handle is good, but can be great with more attention this off-season. 

Alexander plays with a fantastic feel for the game.  There is a beautiful smoothness to his movements and he often meets the basketball off the rim as opponents are reacting.  The instincts of Alexander are a plus asset.  Lateral quickness is a strength even though his lane agility times were just ok (11.99).  Josh defends the perimeter or high blocks well.  He projects as a low major (OVC-Atlantic Sun) defender.  Offensively, the touch is sound.  Outside shots are not poor.  They are just lacking in the consistency he should strive for.  Further, Alexander's rise prior to release is lower than it could be.  As defenders get taller around the arc Alexander will need an even higher release point to get unimpeded shots off.

Judging by his physique and emotional investment, Alexander will get there very soon defensively.  His offense, though above average inside 8', will take a little more time.  Alexander needs to both set his feet before the catch and take and make more outside shots to improve his shooting range. 

The two best sophomores at the Spring Combine were Ametri Moss and Joshua Alexander.  Each proved different paths of potential and Alexander specifically looked like a future college starter at the Division II level.  With enough skill development he will get an outside shot at the coveted Division I level.