The common consensus among NBA Draft experts is that Joe Alexander is a hard worker.
For new Bucks general manager John Hammond, that work ethic made the 6-foot-8, 230-pound Alexander a perfect fit for the team he is trying to build.
Hammond, whose first order of business upon taking the task of building the Bucks back into a respectable and playoff-caliber contender was to hire hard-nosed Scott Skiles as head coach, used the Bucks' first round pick (No. 8) overall to select the forward out of West Virginia.
Hammond has said that he aims to change the culture of a franchise that has been to the playoffs just three times since 2001 but once was a perennial postseason participant. He's using his experience with the Detroit Pistons as a model.
He wants to bring in tough, hard-working players. He wants to build a team that's eager to work at improving and playing hard on both ends of the court. With Alexander, he believes that he has found that type of player.
"We know what we've got in this guy," Hammond said at a Friday press conference. "He's a guy that's going to come to work every day and he's going to work hard. He's going to play hard and is dedicated to making himself better and turning this thing around."
Alexander blossomed during his junior -- and final -- year at West Virginia under head coach Bob Huggins. Alexander credits Huggins, who earned a reputation as a demanding perfectionist during his time at Cincinnati, for developing him into an NBA-caliber player.
Always considered an exception athlete, he had been a solid player during his first two years under head coach John Bilein, but became developed into the team's leading rebounder (6.4 per game) and scorer (16.9 per game).
"He pushed everyone on our team every single day," Alexander said. "He completely changed my game.
"I wouldn't be in the NBA if it wasn't for Coach Huggins."
For Skiles, that kind of experience is invaluable for a young player coming into the NBA. Talent alone doesn't make a successful player. They also, in the coach's mind, need to have a good head on their shoulders.
"Finding a guy who's got a high level of mental toughness is very important to where we are right now," Skiles said. "It's not a forgiving league ... you have to have something upstairs to balance it out."
Alexander was dominant during West Virginia's final nine games - a run that included an upset of second-seeded Duke in the NCAA Tournament and ended in the Sweet 16 -- by averaging 23.9 points a game. His play down the stretch earned him a spot on the All-Big East First Team and was an Honorable Mention Associated Press All-American.
It also catapulted him into draft-lottery status.
Hammond and his staff focused on Alexander early, bringing him in twice for pre-draft workouts at the Cousins Center. And while the Bucks were impressed by his skill set and mental toughness, Alexander was equally interested in playing in Milwaukee.
"Teams eliminate players," Alexander said. "Players eliminate teams, too.
"They were looking for a player that can bring mental toughness and be a competitor. I think that's what I bring. Naturally, we're a good fit."
Skiles, who is looking forward to getting to work with his newest player, has no doubt that Alexander will put in the necessary effort and reach his full potential.
"Whatever his ceiling is, he's going to reach it," Skiles said.
As Hammond continues on his mission to bring respectability back to the Bucks, he's confident that Alexander's willingness to work and improve will be a building block for the future.
"We're going to play hard every night. People willing to compete. Tough guys tough players. I can't tell you how excited to have Joe sitting here next to me and Scott. We think he typifies all those factors."
