During this series, we are going to take a look at players at the next level. Guys we at Phenom Hoops are very familiar with, we are going to check in with how their seasons went while diving a bit down memory lane to see their development through the year to the current day. 

This should be a fun look back.

Let’s start off with the 6’4” 200-pound Ty-Shon Alexander, who just finished his junior year at Creighton. 

The 2019-20 season for Alexander could be one for the memories. He was named a 3rd Team All-American by USA Today after averaging 16.9 points, 5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Alexander shot 39.9% from 3 while knocking in 81 3s on the season. In fact, for the 2019-20 season, Alexander was one of only three players (Desmond Bane and Payton Pritchard the others) who carried a Player Efficiency Rating above 21, made more than 80 threes, snagged more than 1.2 steals per game and had a Box Plus/Minus over 7.5. 

For the year, led by Alexander, Creighton finished first in the Big East with a 24-7 record. They finished 7th in the final AP poll of the shortened season. During Big East Conference play, Alexander carried a 2.9 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. 

During the season, Alexander also picked up quite the national reputation for being a defensive stopper. Each game, he would be tasked to pick up the opposition’s top perimeter threat. This season that included the likes of Arizona State’s Remy Martin (averages 19.1, scored 7), Marquette’s Markus Howard (averaged 27.8, scored 18 & 13), Seton Hall’s Myles Powell (averaged 21, scored 12 & 15) and Villanova’s Saddiq Bey (averaged 16.1, scored 11 & 9). Josh Planos of the Fivethirtyeight website did a good job of outlining some of Alexander’s defensive prowess this season (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/creighton-usually-wins-with-offense-this-year-it-has-a-defense-too/).

Looking back at Alexander he made an immediate impact on the Phenom Hoops crew, as early as his freshman season (2014) at Concord High School.

Our Jamie Shaw said “2017 Ty-Shon Alexander plays years beyond his age. He is poised and confident on the ball with high IQ, great frame and athleticism. There is no denying the upside as he has a chance to make national noise.

It was easy to see from the beginning Alexander had big-time written all over his game. Phenom Hoops’ Rick Lewis also followed that up with, “I believe Ty-Shon (Alexander) may be the top prospect in the state, in his class. So impressed with the improvement in his game and body, high major talent.”

He continued to progress and finish his career off at famed Oak Hill Academy where he amassed an 80-8 record and finished up ranked 95th in the 2017 class by 247sports. 

Through the years, playing in numerous Phenom Hoops events, from the North Carolina Top 80, NC Phenom 150 exposure camps, travel ball events with Team Charlotte, and even scholastic high school events with Oak Hill Academy, we got to see a lot of Alexander throughout the years. It has been very exciting to see his progress to this point.

Looking ahead for Alexander and given the noted success this season, along with his measurable and skill set, Alexander has made his way onto draft boards as well with both NBADraft.net and Jeremy Wood of Sports Illustrated having Alexander in each of their Top 75 draft-eligible prospects for the 2020 NBA Draft. With the 3 & D buzzword floating heavily, and Alexander’s ability to create as a secondary handler looming, look for his name to pop up more in this regard. 

Taking a look strictly at Alexander’s statistical makeup this season as a possible 3 & D player at the next level (PER, 3s made, 3P %, Steals/game, and box plus/minus), he compares favorably to the likes of Devonte Graham, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, and D’Angelo Russell. 

It will be interesting to see how things play out for Alexander as his stock continues to rise as the draft draws near. One thing is for sure, we at Phenom Hoops could not be more proud to watch him and cheer for him, each step of the way. 

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