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Cliff Alexander: Phoenix Suns 2015 Draft Profile

By Scott Chasen

Jan 24, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Jayhawks won 75-62. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Jayhawks won 75-62. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Jayhawks won 75-62. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. The Jayhawks won 75-62. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview

As the 2015 NBA Draft approaches, we’ll be taking a look a the top prospects in this year’s class to gain a sense of what the Phoenix Suns should do with their pick. Today, we’ll be taking a look at Cliff Alexander.

At 6’8.5″, 240 pounds, Cliff Alexander isn’t the biggest guy, but he does posses a 7’3.5″ wingspan. which is more than enough for him to play the power forward position (and even some center) at the NBA level.

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Alexander averaged just 7.1 points and 5.3 points per game at Kansas, but that doesn’t really reflect the level at which he played. Alexander averaged just 17.6 minutes per game, mainly because his skillset did not really match up with what the Jayhawks needed. The Jayhawks had a skilled face-up four in Perry Ellis, and really needed a low post guy to replace the void left by Joel Embiid, who the coaches said they were not expecting to leave after just one year.

Alexander struggled at times to step into that roll at the college level, and with a rather impatient coach, he often found himself pulled after making one or two simple mistakes. I actually wrote about Alexander and why he should’ve gotten an opportunity in a starting role earlier this year, and went more in depth about his struggles on the team, which basically revolved around the situation more than anything. However, that (obviously) applies less to the Suns, because it is all in the past.

As I mentioned, at the NBA level, Alexander will play mostly four, and he should be limited to five in small-ball situations, which is something that the Suns could probably use. However, fans may not want to see another Kansas power forward on the roster, given how the current situation sits (I’m only half kidding).

With that, let’s take a look at Cliff Alexander’s 2015 NBA Draft profile.

Next: Strengths

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