Cliff Alexander Finding His Feet With The Portland Trail Blazers

At 20 years old, Cliff Alexander has experienced more ups and downs in the last year than most players do in their first few seasons. From being a projected lottery pick out of high school, to serving a stock-damaging suspension at Kansas, to going undrafted, to signing with Portland, to missing all of pre-season due to injury, Alexander has been the top and the bottom of the proverbial basketball totem pole. Now that he is healthy and the Trail Blazers’ starting power forward, Meyers Leonard, is not, Alexander is starting to get back on track.

Blazers Digital Content Specialist Cody Sharrett has the scoop:

"It felt real good playing my first game at Charlotte," Alexander said of his debut. "It felt real good just to get the butterflies out of my stomach... I feel like I’m a little behind because of [the injury], but I’m gonna continue to work my butt off to try to get better."

Added head coach Terry Stotts: "He’s getting his sea legs. He’s a little anxious. One game, I thought he played very well and stayed within himself — I think it was in Charlotte. He didn’t try to do too much; I thought he was effective. It’s tough going in there for three or four minutes and making an impact, but I think he’s acclimated himself pretty well."

Sharrett’s full article can be found here.

Alexander has competed in four games, averaging 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 6.8 minutes off the bench.