Ex-Kings import in NBA lineup

Former Barangay Ginebra import Chris Alexander is hanging on to a spot in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 17-man preseason lineup and might just be able to crack the roster when the NBA season opens on Oct. 28.

Alexander was a long-shot in the Thunder’s free agent camp but managed to work his way in coach P. J. Carlesimo’s regular rotation in the exhibition campaign. He has played in four of Oklahoma City’s five preseason games, averaging 1.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6:08 minutes without a single turnover.

In his best game so far, Alexander collected five points (2-of-3 field goals, 1-of-1 free throw) and four rebounds in 6:16 minutes in the Thunder’s 88-82 loss to Minnesota last Oct. 8.

There are at least six in Carlesimo’s cast sitting out every game in the preseason so that even as Alexander is the last man off the bench, he is at least getting playing time. But it’s no guarantee he’ll make it to the final roster. Alexander is up against 6-10 Nick Collison, 7-foot Johan Petro, 6-11 Mouhamed Sene and 7-1 Robert Swift in landing a spot.

A positive sign was Carlesimo choosing Alexander over 6-11 DeVon Hardin who was the Thunder’s second round draft pick this year.

The Oklahoma City team was the Seattle SuperSonics last season. The relocation was implemented when Seattle citizens voted not to subsidize the costs of constructing a new stadium even as the Sonics’ home, Key Arena, was below NBA standards. Oklahoma City used to host the Hornets when New Orleans was rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Thunder was chosen as Oklahoma City’s nickname over the Barons, Bison, Energy, Marshalls and Wind.

If Alexander – wearing No. 44 – makes the final cut, he’ll be a 28-year-old rookie in the NBA this season.

Ginebra coach Joseph Uichico said yesterday he’s happy and excited for Alexander coming close to breaking into the NBA.

“I’m really very happy for him,” said Uichico. “He gave up opportunities in Korea and overseas to stay in the PBA. He is a great person and I’m sure he’ll help any team that he signs up with. I wish him the best.”

The 7-1, 240-pound center was Ginebra’s third import in the last Fiesta Conference after Rashaun Turner and Ernest Brown. He averaged 19.4 points, 20.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.5 blocked shots a game to lead Ginebra to the championship. Alexander was first in the league in field goal percentage (.581), rebounds and blocked shots.

It was Alexander who sparked the Kings to a seven-game win over Air21 in the Fiesta Conference finals. In a do-or-die Game 6, Ginebra leaned on Alexander’s 37 points and 24 rebounds to gut out an 80-75 win, setting the stage for the climax. In Game 7, Alexander had 16 points and 19 rebounds as Ginebra got 22 points from Ronald Tubid and 21 from Eric Menk to thwart the Express, 97-84.

Alexander played only a year of NCAA basketball with Iowa State in 2002-03. He saw action as an import in China, Puerto Rico and Spain before landing in Manila after a playoff stint with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBDL.

Uichico said Steve Thomas was his first choice as the Kings import but he went to Air21 instead. His next choice Lance Alred went to the NBA and another pick Marcus Campbell to Italy. Alexander wasn’t immediately available as the Skyforce was still in contention in the NBDL so Uichico had to call in Turner and Brown as interim imports.

When the Skyforce was eliminated, Uichico sent Alexander a firm offer.

“We watched six games on tape with Chris in the NBDL,” said Uichico. “We liked what he could bring to our team. He’s a seven-footer. He runs the floor and can defend. He’s an intimidator. He’s not really a go-to guy but we didn’t need a big scorer because we’ve got scorers in Mark (Caguioa) and Jay-Jay (Helterbrand).”

During the Fiesta Conference quarterfinals, Alexander was invited to join tryouts for the Korean league in Las Vegas. He was also summoned to NBA camps.

But Alexander, a Chicago native who lives in St. Louis with his wife (a psychologist) and children, decided to stick it out in the PBA and honor his commitment to Ginebra. 

“Chris wants to come back,” said Uichico. “The first time he played here, he couldn’t believe how big the crowd was. In the finals, we had crowds of over 20,000. Up to when he left to board the plane, he told me he still couldn’t believe how we won with so many injured players.”