Kansas Jayhawks Basketball: When Will Cliff Alexander Be Drafted

Cliff Alexander spent just one season with the Kansas Jayhawks before declaring for the 2015 NBA Draft. He and fellow freshman Kelly Oubre Jr. both are this year’s “one-and-done” players for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks basketball program after this last season.

Alexander’s declare for the NBA Draft comes as somewhat of a surprise because of his lack of production and lack of playing time that he actually got during the season.

He came into Lawrence last season with the reputation of a high motor and stellar athleticism, but as the season progressed, it seemed as if the tougher college game forced him to do some adjusting to his own game forcing his talent to dim under the heavy spotlight.

He ended up being suspended for the last few games of the regular season and the entire postseason including the NCAA Tournament because of some eligibility issues that he and the Kansas program was dealing with together.

Heading into the NBA Draft, most NBA scouts and general managers likely haven’t seen enough of Alexander to take him with a high pick as it was once upon a time projected while he was coming out of high school only a year ago. Most of the tape on Alexander comes from his high school days, and in my opinion doesn’t make him worthy of even a first round pick.

Maybe that’s why I’m here though, as a writer and not as an NBA scout, because according to SI.com, Alexander will be taken by the San Antonio Spurs late in the first round with the 26th overall pick (still pretty close to the second round).

Sports Illustrated goes on to say about Alexander,

"“Alexander underachieved last season, a year that ended abruptly due to NCAA violations. But he is a big, physical shot blocker who plays well off the ball and has enormous potential. Low risk, high reward here.”"

Potential alone has caused many, many players to be drafted higher than their current talent level or past production has shown, and this very well may be the case for the ex-Jayhawk Cliff Alexander in this year’s upcoming NBA Draft.

Things could go south at the draft pretty easily as well though. DraftExpress.com has Alexander ranked as the 46th overall prospect for the draft, which would mean he would fall all the way to nearly the end of the second round (there are 60 picks in the NBA Draft).

Hopefully for Cliff and his family, he will be taken with his potentially high ceiling in mind and not slip into the second round as it will not only cost him money, but also could cost him a potential roster spot once the next NBA season rolls around.

Next: Predicting Starters For KU's 2015-2016 Season

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