Cliff Alexander to Trail Blazers: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

Former University of Kansas forward Cliff Alexander has found a home, he announced on his Twitter page:

The Portland Trail Blazers confirmed the move as well.

Alexander went unselected in the 2015 draft after one season at Kansas. The 6'8" forward missed the NCAA tournament due to eligibility issues that questioned his amateur status while hurting his draft stock in the process. 

In 28 games, he averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds while playing only 17.6 minutes per game with the Jayhawks.

The Blazers might have picked up a future starting power forward in Alexander. Though 6'8" is not the largest frame for a power forward, he brings a big wingspan, plenty of strength and that "prove the doubters wrong" mentality that can spell success in the NBA. 

Alexander will bring rebounding help to a new core of big men in Portland who don't exactly control the low post like its former starters did.

He will be competing for playing time with former Los Angeles Laker Ed Davis and 19-year-old Noah Vonleh, whom the team acquired from the Charlotte Hornets. 

Portland is trying to overhaul a roster that has lost Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez, all starters last season. A low-risk, high-reward signing like Alexander will in no way magically make the departure of Aldridge less severe, but his hard-working, tenacious style of play will help the rebuilding process for the Blazers. 

NCAA stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.