As we approach a highly anticipated USF basketball season, let's look back at some of the student-athletes who got us here. Our list of 10 essential USF basketball players may not line up perfectly with yours; discussion and debate is welcomed.
We'll list these 10 players in no particular order. They may or may not have huge statistics, and they may or may not have been a part of the big plays we all remember. But because of their talent, their effort or even their timing, they provided a major influence on our USF men's basketball program.
By JIM LOUK
Voice of the Bulls
TAMPA, NOV. 11, 2014 - Gary Alexander's story is unique among those on this list. As time has moved on, his contributions during the Bulls 1990 to 1992 postseason run seem to have gotten less and less attention. But he was in some ways the heart of those Dobras-Lewis-Russell teams; a fearsome rebounder who overcame as much or more than any other Bull before finally tasting the NCAA tournament in his very last USF game.
Alexander was to be part of the USF building process for 1987-88. He came to the Bulls from Jacksonville's Raines High School. At first impression, he was too thin at 190 pounds, but he could “jump out of the building” as his coach Bobby Paschal used to say. It wasn't hard to see that Alexander had a chance to be a major part of the turnaround for the Bulls.
But there was a big disappointment ahead for both Alexander and USF basketball. Under the NCAA Proposition 48 rules of the time, Alexander was ruled academically ineligible. He wouldn't play in 1987-88, and he was left with only three years remaining at the college level.
Proposition 48. 190 pounds. Two things to remember as Gary Alexander's story unfolds.
Alexander got on the court for the 1988-89 season, and averaged 13.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Great numbers, but for Alexander, they'd never be that low again. He'd average a double-double for the rest of his career. We've written about that 1988-89 season before; at 7-21, the Bulls certainly didn't turn a corner, but there was clear improvement, and there was hope ahead.
Of course the 1989-90 season would prove to be a watershed moment in USF history; 22 wins, a conference championship, and the program's first ever NCAA tournament appearance.
And Gary Alexander wouldn't be involved in any of it.
A torn ACL robbed him of the entire season, meaning in three years at USF, Alexander had been able to play just 28 games. And he had missed the most special season in USF basketball history to date.
Alexander rehabbed and he came back stronger than ever. He started all 30 games in the 1990-91 season, improving to 14.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. USF seemed destined for another NCAA tournament appearance, but a late season suspension to a key player helped derail the Bulls, and they wound up in the NIT instead.
Gary Alexander hadn't been to an NCAA tournament game, and now he was down to one year left to play.
He never wasted his time during those years of inactivity. Heading in to his senior season, the slender 190 pound forward had bulked up to 230 pounds. He was a physical specimen, and even with the weight gain and the knee surgery, the leaping ability was still there.
Alexander played his senior year with a vengeance, averaging 15.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. He had a 23 rebound game in December, he led the Metro Conference in rebounding, and he was a First Team All-Metro Conference selection.
And one other thing; midway through his senior year, Gary Alexander walked.
That's right, the kid who lost his freshman year to academic issues graduated from USF. And he graduated early.
The Bulls racked up 19 wins that year, but most thought an early exit from the Metro Tournament would send the Bulls to the NIT again. The prospects were considered worrisome enough that there was no NCAA Tournament Show watch party planned. Instead, Alexander sat in a dorm room with some friends and teammates and watched as the Bulls drew an at-large 11 seed to play Georgetown in Boise, Idaho. Fortunately, at least one camera was there; it is Alexander that is most visible in the now well-known celebration video as the announcement is made.
The NCAA tournament game was where it ended for Alexander as Georgetown eliminated the Bulls. He went on to a brief NBA career; 11 games with Cleveland and then Miami in the 1993-94 season.
Alexander remains eighth at USF in scoring with 1,272 points. His 862 career rebounds rank third, and his average of 9.9 rebounds per game is second.
His is one of those stories that go well beyond the numbers. Gary Alexander remains one of the great stories of USF basketball, for both his abilities and his perseverance.
USF men's basketball season tickets are on sale now and available online at GoUSFBulls.com, by calling 1-800-GoBulls, or in person at the USF Ticket Office. Season ticket members may renew their tickets online today.
The Bulls return three players who saw playing time last season in Corey Allen Jr., Anthony Collins, and Chris Perry. USF welcomes six newcomers as well as Jake Bodway, Dre Clayton and Bo Zeigler who redshirted their freshman season. Orlando Antigua is in his first season as head coach after spending the past five seasons as an assistant coach at Kentucky.
Previously in 10 Essential Bulls
John Kiser (Sept. 22)
Tommy Tonelli (Sept. 30)
Altron Jackson (Oct. 3)
Tony Grier (Oct. 14)
Radenko Dobras (Oct. 21)
Reggie Kohn (Oct. 27)
Chucky Atikins (Nov. 4)
