In the days leading up to the 2008 NBA Draft, NYKnicks.com will profile many of the top players available. We offer these profiles for fans to familiarize themselves with some of the biggest names in the draft. A player's inclusion in this series of articles is based purely on his rankings in the scouting services and mainstream media and does not necessarily reflect the Knicks organization's preferences for the June 26 Draft at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

We continue our series with a profile of West Virginia forward Joe Alexander, a projected first-round pick, according to major scouting services and numerous publications.

All of the draft experts and scouts who mine the draft-eligible list for a combination of talent, drive and upside in a prospect, are calling West Virginia forward Joe Alexander a diamond in the rough.

One year removed from guiding his team to an NIT Championship as a sophomore, Alexander averaged 16.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game his junior year, leading his team in all three categories in 2007-08. He scored 20 or more points 13 times, earning First Team All-Big East Honors and was named an AP Honorable Mention All-American.

Recognized for having a high basketball IQ and extraordinary athletic ability, Alexander is a potential match-up nightmare for opposing NBA players because he can post up smaller opponents with his size while breezing past bigger defenders with his athleticism.

While scouts say the 6-foot-8, 230-pounder had one of college basketball's most explosive finishes at the rim and a fantastic first step, they also credit him for a strong outside game. Forced to respect his jump shot, Alexander keeps defenders honest and on their heels because they can't be sure how he is going to attack them. He is also a tenacious rebounder, who seems to thrive on the physical aspects of the game.

Alexander is mainly known for his multidimensional offensive game, but scouts say he is a more than capable defender and an exceptional shot-blocker. They single him out for his timing, help defense, and ability to dominate the passing lanes due to his rangy arms.

Over the final nine games of the 2007-08 season, Alexander's play reached another level, as he averaged 24.1 points per game to lead West Virginia to its third Sweet 16 appearance in the past four years. He scored over 30 points in three of those contests, including a career-high 34-point effort over UConn in the Big East Tournament Quarterfinals.

Alexander's star shone bright on the national stage as well. In an NCAA Tournament second round match against powerhouse Duke, he recorded 22 points, 11 boards and three blocks in a 73-67 upset that captivated the nation.

Scouts say the 21-year old would be an NBA coach's dream because he is a fast learner with a tireless work ethic and a drive to constantly improve. Despite all of his talent, Alexander wins praise as a blue-collar player who takes nothing for granted.

The knock on Alexander is that he is very raw, having only played organized ball for a couple of years before college. Still, his consistent year-over-year improvement and his dominating performance at the college level in 2007-08 has draft pundits convinced that he will make a significant impact in the NBA.