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Five potential Long Island Nets who could get called up

By Charles Daye

Sep 26, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Beau Beech (9) poses for a portrait during media day at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Beau Beech (9) poses for a portrait during media day at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-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 /

Cliff Alexander

Cliff Alexander was highly touted coming out of high school, drawing comparisons to Amar’e Stoudemire as he entered his lone college season at Kansas. The Chicago native was considered the cross-town rival of Jahlil Okafor before their college careers would take them on drastically different paths.

In 28 games (six starts) for the Kansas Jayhawks, Alexander averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game. Due to off-the-court issues with the NCAA, he did not play in February after starting the season coming off the bench. Needless to say, this hurt his stock, so the 6-foot-8 power forward ended up going undrafted.

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Alexander had an impressive run in the D-League, enough to warrant the Nets wanting to give him a guaranteed 10-day contract just to waive him (a good faith signing). In 40 games (13 starts), he averaged 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and one block in 27.1 minutes per game.

At only 21 years old, there is still a lot of room for improvement. But, unlike some other players in Long Island, Alexander has a higher ceiling and could potentially make an immediate impact in Brooklyn.

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Currently, the power forward position is a little bit of a question mark. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson became the starting power forward later in the season with Trevor Booker solidly backing up the four. Booker and Quincy Acy also occasionally backed up Brook Lopez at center, but rebounding has remained an issue.

If Alexander could translate his close-to-nine rebounds per game to the Brooklyn Nets, he would cement his spot in the rotation. However, that is a big if. With a game close to Stoudemire’s, he could benefit in Atkinson’s fast-paced offense if given the opportunity.