DraftExpress: How long have you been out here in Vegas working out with Joe Abunassar?
Joe Alexander: A week and a half.
DraftExpress: What have you been doing since the season ended?
Joe Alexander: I spent the first month in Morgantown working out by myself and with teammates, and I wanted to do something more intense so I came out here.
DraftExpress: Whats the biggest difference youve noticed between your college workouts and your workouts here?
Joe Alexander: Theyre pretty similar to Huggins workouts, he does a lot of NBA stuff. Other than that, the biggest difference is that we go all day here, we go from 8 till 4
DraftExpress: What are the things that you have been working on most?
Joe Alexander: Theyve been focusing a lot on shooting for everybody. With me Ive been trying to do a lot of everything; off the dribble, post up, as well as shooting.
DraftExpress: What kind of shape do you think youre in right now?
Best shape Ive been in a long time. Definitely game shape.
DraftExpress: Do you think its a good thing that you got out of Morgantown for a while to get yourself prepared for the draft?
Joe Alexander: Its good because you have structure here, in Morgantown I was on my own as far as scheduling my work outs, so its easier when you have other guys around you equally as motivated as you.
DraftExpress: How did your coaching staff feel about you coming out here?
Joe Alexander: They told me to definitely come out here. They knew it was a good program.
DraftExpress: How have you been educating yourself on the draft process, how it works, what the time table looks like?
Joe Alexander: I think Ive come a long ways as far as knowing what goes along with it. Towards the end of the season I didnt know anything, but after talking to all these guys in the business, I think I know whats going on.
DraftExpress: How do you think you stack up, as far as the draft is concerned.
Joe Alexander: I definitely belong here.
DraftExpress: In terms of the draft, what is your mindset, what kind of situation would you like to step into?
Joe Alexander: I just want to step into a team that has good team chemistry and where everyone is focused on winning, because I think I could really contribute and step in and play my part.
DraftExpress: What are three strengths of your game?
Joe Alexander: My biggest strength is my versatility. I can post up smaller guys and I can take bigger guys off the dribble. My other strength is ball-handling. I can get rebounds and bring the ball up myself if I need to. And a third I think is shooting, as far as my three point range, I think Im underestimated.
DraftExpress: What about three areas of improvement?
Joe Alexander: I want to continue to improve everything, including those three strengths. The biggest thing right now is even though I feel Im physically ready to play in the league I still want to become someone who can dominate physically in the league, so I need to get stronger.
DraftExpress: Some guys are better work out guys than 5 on 5 guys. How do you think your game stacks up as far as a work out is concerned?
Joe Alexander: I think Ill look good in a work out, and in 5 on 5. I think I do my best in a team setting, where we run plays.
DraftExpress: What kind of feedback have you been getting from NBA teams so far?
Joe Alexander: Mostly positive feedback, Im just hearing stuff through the grapevine.
DraftExpress: Projecting you five years from now, what do you see as your role in the league?
Joe Alexander: I definitely see myself playing a big role on a good team, being an energy guy, and a defensive guy, as well as a guy who steps up and does other things that need to be done.
DraftExpress: Who is a player that you admire and respect?
Joe Alexander: Matt Harpring, because hes basically in the league off toughness and being a team guy. He passes the ball a lot, runs the floor, he does a great job.
DraftExpress: What is your thought process about the advantages of staying in the draft?
Joe Alexander: Well the advantage would be doing what Ive wanted to do my whole life, which is playing in the league.
DraftExpress: What is the advantage of coming back for one more year?
Joe Alexander: I get to play under Huggins and the rest of his staff, who I cant say enough about what they did for me this year and also I get to play with my teammates at West Virginia, my best friends
DraftExpress: What stands out to you the most, what is the biggest thing youve learned from Huggins?
Joe Alexander: My biggest thing is that when a coach tells you something, you need to take it upon yourself to make sure they dont need to tell you again. When a coach tells me to do something, I implement it in my game immediately.
DraftExpress: What is the one thing youve learned from Coach Beilein?
Joe Alexander: I learned a lot of the basics from Beilein that I didnt know coming out of high school, as far as how to read screens. He also helped me with my three point shot.
DraftExpress: Your story is unique as far as going to prep school and not being a major player in high school. What advice can you give to similar players who want to take their game to the next level?
Joe Alexander: My best advice is just never give up. If youre young and you play ball, youll go through all sorts of ups and downs.
DraftExpress: Were you as athletic in prep school as you are now?
Joe Alexander: No, my athleticism has progressed with how hard Ive worked on it.
DraftExpress: Best moment on the basketball court?
Joe Alexander: My favorite moment was in our Auburn game when our team just clicked like never before, every person was living up to their potential.
DraftExpress: What is the one thing you think you need to learn the most as a human being?
Joe Alexander: The purpose of life?
DraftExpress: And as a basketball player?
Joe Alexander: The only thing you need to learn is how to win.
DraftExpress: Who is your favorite person in the world?
Joe Alexander: My Dad.
DraftExpress: Favorite basketball player?
Joe Alexander: My brothers
DraftExpress: Thank you Joe. Best of luck.
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