Hubbry Logo
Cory AlexanderCory AlexanderMain
Open search
Cory Alexander
Community hub
Cory Alexander
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Cory Alexander
Cory Alexander
from Wikipedia

Cory Lynn Alexander (born June 22, 1973) is an American former professional basketball player who is a college basketball analyst for ESPN. He was a Parade and McDonald's All-American while he played basketball at Oak Hill Academy. Alexander played college basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers and was selected in the 1995 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats. Alexander also played in the NBA Development League and overseas in Italy.

Key Information

After his playing retirement, Alexander worked as an analyst for the University of Virginia radio network and the Raycom Sports-produced ACC Network. He joined ESPN in 2009 as a college basketball analyst.

Early life

[edit]

Alexander developed his passion for basketball through playing at a YMCA in Waynesboro, Virginia, where a man his mother, Bonita Wallace, dated served as the program director.[1] He started his high school basketball career at Waynesboro High School.[2] Alexander transferred to Flint Hill School for his junior season and emerged as among the top college basketball prospects.[2]

Alexander transferred to Oak Hill Academy for his senior season in 1990–91.[2] He had played as a shooting guard throughout his high school career but moved to point guard at Oak Hill Academy.[1] Alexander averaged 15.9 points, 9.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game during his senior season.[1] He was selected as a member of the Parade All-American first-team and played in the 1991 McDonald's All-American Game.[3]

Alexander narrowed his college basketball team decision down to the Virginia Cavaliers and Arizona Wildcats.[3] He chose to play for the Cavaliers and attend the University of Virginia which was close to his home.[1]

College basketball career

[edit]

Alexander played for the Virginia Cavaliers from 1991 to 1995. He was selected to the All-ACC second-team as a sophomore in 1993 when he averaged 18.8 points per game.[4] Alexander suffered a broken right ankle during the opening game of the 1993–94 season and did not return for the year.[4] He was granted a redshirt but announced in October 1994 that he would not play out his fifth year of eligibility and instead turn professional in 1995.[4] He averaged 16.6 points per game during the 1994–95 season until he suffered another season-ending broken right ankle during a game on February 8, 1995.[4][5]

Alexander's 401 career assists are eighth highest in Cavaliers history and he ranks 24th on the team's all-time scoring list with 1,286 points.[6]

Professional career

[edit]

Alexander was selected by the San Antonio Spurs as the 29th overall pick of the 1995 NBA draft.[6] He had his best season in the National Basketball Association in 1996–97 when he averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 assists.[7] Alexander was relegated to a little-used reserve with the Spurs and was waived on February 27, 1998.[8] Alexander was sought after as a free agent and signed with the Denver Nuggets five days later.[8] He re-signed with the Nuggets on January 22, 1999.[9] Alexander averaged 2.8 points, 2.0 assists and 1.4 rebounds per game with the Nuggets during the 1999–2000 season.[10] On January 29, 2001, he joined the Orlando Magic on a 10-day contract.[10] Alexander spent the rest of the season with the Magic although he received limited playing time.[11]

Alexander joined the Roanoke Dazzle of the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) during the 2002–03 season.[7] He totalled 306 assists which was an NBDL single-season record.[7] Alexander played in Italy for Virtus Roma during the 2003–04 season and averaged 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.[7] He returned to the Dazzle for the 2004–05 season and averaged 16.4 points and a league-leading 8.3 assists per game.[7] On February 28, 2005, Alexander signed with the Charlotte Bobcats as the team needed to improve their depth at the point guard position.[7] It was his last stint in the NBA.[6]

National team career

[edit]

Alexander played for the United States national team at the 1993 FIBA Under-21 World Championship where he won a gold medal.[6]

NBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1995–96 San Antonio 60 0 9.3 .406 .394 .640 0.7 2.0 0.5 0.0 2.8
1996–97 San Antonio 80 6 18.2 .396 .373 .736 1.5 3.2 1.0 0.2 7.2
1997–98 San Antonio 37 3 13.5 .414 .313 .676 1.3 1.9 0.7 0.1 4.5
1997–98 Denver 23 19 34.7 .435 .411 .846 4.3 6.0 2.0 0.3 14.0
1998–99 Denver 36 4 21.6 .373 .286 .841 2.1 3.3 1.0 0.1 7.3
1999–00 Denver 29 2 11.3 .286 .257 .773 1.4 2.0 0.8 0.1 2.8
2000–01 Orlando 26 0 8.7 .321 .250 .667 1.0 1.4 0.6 0.0 2.0
2004–05 Charlotte 16 1 12.6 .327 .421 .750 1.8 2.3 0.6 0.1 3.1
Career 307 35 15.8 .389 .354 .756 1.6 2.7 0.9 0.1 5.5

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1996 San Antonio 9 0 7.8 .417 .200 .714 1.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 2.9

Post-playing career

[edit]

Broadcasting career

[edit]

On October 1, 2008, Alexander was announced as the analyst of Virginia Cavaliers basketball radio broadcasts alongside play-by-play announcer Dave Koehn for the 2008–09 season.[12] He joined the radio team because he had ambitions of joining the coaching staff of Cavaliers head coach Dave Leitao.[13] Alexander worked in the role for three seasons until his departure in 2011 because he wanted to prioritize his television and coaching pursuits.[14]

Alexander joined ESPN as a broadcaster in 2009.[6]

Coaching career

[edit]

On September 26, 2011, Alexander was announced as an assistant coach for the NCAA Division III basketball team at Hampden–Sydney College.[15] He served in a part-time volunteer role.[14] Alexander wanted to join a Division III staff so he could still instruct at his Cory Alexander Basketball School,[14] which he founded in 1995.[6] He had ambitions of receiving a coaching job at an NCAA Division I school.[14]

Alexander has served as an assistant coach at Oak Hill Academy.[13]

Personal life

[edit]

Alexander's son, Cory II, played baseball for the Old Dominion Monarchs.[16] His cousin, Kenny Brooks, played college basketball for the James Madison Dukes.[1]

Alexander runs Castles Real Estate which is based in Richmond, Virginia.[13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Cory Alexander (born June 22, 1973) is an American former professional basketball player who played as a in the (NBA) from 1995 to 2005, and currently serves as a analyst for and the . Born in , Alexander attended Oak Hill Academy, where he was named a 1991 McDonald's All-American and Parade First Team All-American. He then played for the from 1991 to 1995, earning a in and becoming a four-year letterwinner. During his collegiate career, he scored 1,286 points (24th all-time at UVA), recorded 401 assists (eighth all-time), and earned second-team All-ACC honors, while also contributing to the ' gold medal at the 1993 FIBA U21 World Championship. Selected 29th overall in the first round of the by the , Alexander appeared in 307 regular-season games, averaging 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game over his decade-long professional tenure, including stints with the Spurs (1995–1998), (1998–2000), (2000–2001), and Charlotte Bobcats (2004–2005), as well as briefly in with (2003–04). His career highlight included a personal-best 28 points in a single game, with his most productive season coming in 1996–97, when he averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 assists per game for the Spurs. After retiring from playing, Alexander transitioned to broadcasting, serving as the color analyst for men's basketball games on the Virginia Sports Radio Network from 2008 to 2009. He joined in 2009 as a analyst, where he provides commentary for games on and the , and previously worked with the ACC Digital Network and . Additionally, in August 1995, he founded the Cory Alexander Basketball School in , and remains its owner and president.

Early years

Early life

Cory Alexander was born on June 22, 1973, in Waynesboro, Virginia. Growing up in Waynesboro, Alexander developed an early passion for basketball through regular play at the local Family YMCA, where he spent significant time honing his skills in a community-focused environment. This exposure to organized youth sports at the YMCA introduced him to the fundamentals of the game and fostered his initial interest, shaping his dedication to basketball from a young age. His upbringing occurred in a sports-oriented household and community, influenced by family connections to local athletic programs; for instance, a family associate who dated his mother for several years encouraged his participation in activities, further embedding into his daily life. This environment in Waynesboro provided a supportive backdrop for his early development, emphasizing teamwork and physical activity. Alexander began his formal education in the local school system, attending Waynesboro High School initially before later transfers to other institutions.

High school career

Alexander began his high school basketball career at Waynesboro High School in his hometown of , playing through his sophomore year. Seeking greater competition, he transferred to in , for his junior season before moving again to the nationally renowned Oak Hill Academy in , for his senior year. At Oak Hill, Alexander transitioned from shooting guard to and emerged as a standout leader on a team that finished 27-1 and ranked nationally. During his senior season in 1990-91, he averaged 15.9 points, 9.4 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. His performance earned him selection as a first-team All-American and a spot on the 1991 All-American East roster. Alexander's high school exploits drew national recruitment interest from top programs, including , , , and NC State. He ultimately committed to the , announcing his decision on April 20, 1991, citing proximity to home as a key factor.

College basketball career

University of Virginia

Cory Alexander began his career at the as a during the 1991–92 season, earning a starting role at for all 33 games. He averaged 11.2 points and 4.4 assists per game, leading the Cavaliers in assists with 145 while contributing to a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament's second round. One notable performance came on February 19, 1992, when Alexander scored a season-high 24 points in Virginia's 86–73 victory over then-No. 4 , helping secure an upset win. As a in 1992–93, Alexander continued starting all 31 games, elevating his scoring to an average of 18.8 while dishing out 4.6 assists, leading the team in both categories and earning All-ACC second-team honors. His play helped reach the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen, where the Cavaliers fell to . Alexander's development as a dynamic guard was key to the team's offensive flow, though specific standout games from this season highlighted his consistent scoring threat in ACC play. Alexander's junior year in 1993–94 was derailed by injury, as he suffered a broken right ankle just 11 minutes into the season opener against on November 29, 1993, limiting him to only one game with no points recorded. The injury sidelined him for the entire season, forcing to adjust without its starting , and he did not return to play. Returning for his senior season in 1994–95, Alexander started all 20 games he appeared in, averaging 16.7 points and 5.5 assists per game before another season-ending injury struck. On February 8, 1995, he fractured the same right ankle during a 65–55 win over N.C. State, ending his college career prematurely after missing the final 10 regular-season games and the postseason. Earlier in the season, on January 14, 1995, Alexander contributed to one of Virginia's most memorable victories, a 91–88 comeback upset over then-No. 16 in which the Cavaliers overcame a 23-point second-half deficit—the largest in school . His and scoring were instrumental in guiding the team to the NCAA Tournament's before his injury.

Statistics and accolades

Over his four seasons with the from 1991 to 1995, Cory Alexander amassed 1,286 points and 401 assists. His annual scoring and assist averages are summarized below:
SeasonGames PlayedPoints per GameAssists per Game
1991–923311.24.4
1992–933118.84.6
1993–9410.02.0
1994–952016.75.5
Career8515.14.7
Alexander earned second-team All-ACC honors in 1993, along with first-team All-ACC Tournament recognition that year. Injuries significantly hampered his career, including a fractured right ankle in November 1993 that limited him to one game in the 1993–94 season, and a similar in February 1995 that sidelined him for the remainder of the 1994–95 season after 20 games; these setbacks curtailed his overall production and prevented higher program rankings despite his per-game efficiency.

Professional basketball career

NBA career

Cory Alexander was selected by the with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the , out of the . He spent his first three seasons with the Spurs as a , appearing in 177 games but averaging limited minutes, with his most significant playing time coming in the 1996–97 season when he averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 assists per game across 80 appearances. On February 27, 1998, Alexander was waived by the Spurs and signed with the shortly after on March 4, providing him with expanded opportunities as a starter toward the end of the 1997–98 season. In his partial season with that year, he started 19 of 23 games, averaging 14.0 points and 6.0 assists per game in 34.7 minutes. He remained with the Nuggets for the next two seasons, posting 7.3 points and 3.3 assists per game in 1998–99 across 36 games, though his role diminished in 1999–00 to 2.8 points and 2.0 assists in 29 games due to reduced minutes. Alexander signed with the for the 2000–01 season, where he served as a reserve, averaging 2.0 points and 1.4 assists in 26 games before being waived. He did not play during the 2001–02 season and played in the domestic National Basketball Development League (NBDL) during 2002–03 before joining an Italian team in 2003–04. In 2004–05, he joined the expansion Charlotte Bobcats on February 28, appearing in 16 of the remaining 24 games and averaging 3.1 points and 2.3 assists per game. The Bobcats released him after the season, marking the end of his seven-season NBA career, during which he appeared in 307 games and averaged 5.5 points and 2.7 assists per game overall.

International career

After being waived by the at the conclusion of the , Alexander sought opportunities to continue his professional career outside the league's top tier. He signed with the of the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) for the 2002–03 season, where he served as the team's starting in all 50 games, averaging 16.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game while leading the squad in scoring and assists. The Dazzle finished with a 25–25 record but did not advance far in the playoffs, providing Alexander a platform to showcase his skills amid limited NBA interest. He returned to the Roanoke Dazzle for the 2004–05 NBDL season, averaging 16.4 points and 8.3 assists in 32 games before being called up to the NBA. Seeking further international exposure after his NBDL stints, Alexander joined Virtus Roma (also known as Lottomatica Roma) of Italy's Lega Basket Serie A for the 2003–04 season. In 13 appearances early in the campaign, primarily in the EuroLeague and domestic league, he averaged 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, contributing to Roma's competitive start before departing. Under his playmaking, the team posted a 19–15 regular-season record in Serie A, securing seventh place and a playoff berth, though they exited in the quarterfinals. Alexander briefly returned to the NBA with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2005 but retired from professional on July 2, 2005, at age 32, ending his international playing career.

International involvement

National team career

During his sophomore year at the , Cory Alexander was selected to the for the 1993 World Championship for Men '22 and Under', held in , from July 22 to 31. As a , Alexander contributed to the U.S. team's dominant performance, culminating in a victory after defeating 87–73 in the final. The Americans went undefeated in the tournament, showcasing the depth of American college talent on the international stage. Alexander appeared in 5 games for the U.S., averaging 2.4 points per game while providing ball-handling support in a reserve role. His standout performance came in a preliminary round win over , where he scored 5 points, helping secure a 106–64 victory. This international exposure highlighted Alexander's potential as an emerging , bridging his collegiate development with the path toward a in the NBA.

Overseas professional play

Following his time in the NBDL during the 2002–03 season, Cory Alexander signed with of the Italian (LBA) for the 2003-04 campaign, marking his transition to basketball in . As a , he provided scoring and playmaking from the backcourt, appearing in 13 LBA games where he averaged 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. In the , Alexander played 10 games for Roma, averaging 12.1 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 29.5 minutes per game, with a 43.5% . During the 2003-04 LBA regular season, finished seventh with a 19-15 record, securing a spot in the . The team advanced to the quarterfinals but was swept 0-3 by Skipper . In the , Roma struggled with a 4-10 record in Group A, failing to advance beyond the regular season. Alexander's stint in represented his only professional overseas experience, as he returned to the NBA with the Charlotte Bobcats for the 2004-05 season before retiring from playing in 2005.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Cory Alexander appeared in 307 NBA regular-season games across seven seasons from 1995–96 to 2004–05, serving primarily as a reserve for the , , , and Charlotte Bobcats. Over his career, he totaled 1,677 points, 834 assists, 481 rebounds, 263 steals, and 37 blocks in 4,847 minutes played, while committing 467 turnovers. His scoring efficiency hovered around 38.9% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range, reflecting his role in facilitating offense rather than being a primary scorer. Alexander's usage trended toward bench contributions, with only 35 career starts, often providing spark off the bench in limited minutes during his early years that increased to around 20 per game in his mid-career peak before tapering due to injuries and roster changes. He reached his scoring peak in the 1997–98 season, averaging 8.1 points and 3.5 assists per game over 60 appearances split between the Spurs and Nuggets.
SeasonTeamGMPFGFGA3P3PAFTFTAORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTS
1995-96SAS605606315526661625933421212726894168
1996-97SAS801454194490942529512929941232548216146148577
1997-982TM601298171400661768010217129146209701111298488
1998-99DEN3677897260301053744767741193556977261
1999-00DEN29329289893517228344258242283982
2000-01ORL26227185641612180252536160252952
2004-05CHA162011649819912821293791192949
Career3074,8475871,50823766926635278403481834263374675141,677

Playoffs

Alexander's NBA playoff experience was limited to the 1995–96 postseason with the San Antonio Spurs, where he appeared in 9 games as a rookie off the bench. Over these appearances, he averaged 2.9 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.0 assist per game in 7.8 minutes of playing time, shooting 41.7% from the field. The Spurs advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals that year, defeating the Phoenix Suns 3–1 in the first round before falling to the Utah Jazz 4–2 in the second round. Alexander contributed modestly in both series, for example, scoring a playoff-high 8 points in 18 minutes during Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz. Despite the team's success in reaching the conference semifinals, Alexander's role remained peripheral, reflecting his status as a second-round draft pick adjusting to professional play.
SeasonTeamGMPFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1995-96SAS97.8.417.200.7141.01.00.20.02.9
-97.8.417.200.7141.01.00.20.02.9

Post-playing career

Broadcasting career

Alexander began his broadcasting in 2008 as a radio analyst for the University of Virginia men's basketball team, joining play-by-play announcer Dave Koehn for the 2008-09 season broadcasts. He continued in this role through 2011, providing color commentary that leveraged his experience as a former Cavaliers standout. In 2009, Alexander transitioned to television by joining ESPN as a college basketball analyst, where he has since contributed to coverage on and the . His assignments include analysis for (ACC) games and national matchups, often serving as a alongside play-by-play voices. Alexander's work emphasizes on-court insights from his playing days, focusing on strategy, player matchups, and conference dynamics. Alexander maintains a regular presence on ESPN's college basketball slate, including signature weekly game assignments that highlight key non-conference and conference contests. Notable examples of his broadcasts feature high-profile ACC rivalries and tournament games, where his perspective as a former informs breakdowns of guard play and team execution. As of November 2025, he is set to return as an analyst for ESPN's 2025-26 season coverage, continuing his weekly contributions to the network's extensive slate of over 4,000 games.

Coaching career

In 2011, Alexander joined the basketball coaching staff at Hampden–Sydney College, an NCAA Division III program, as an assistant coach under head coach Dee Vick. Alexander later returned to Oak Hill Academy, his high school alma mater, where he served as an assistant coach starting in 2014. By 2018, he described his role there as part of his ongoing involvement in basketball alongside other professional commitments. He continued in this position through the 2019–20 season, as listed on the academy's official staff roster, but is no longer part of the staff following leadership changes at the program in 2025. In 2016, Oak Hill Academy recognized his contributions as an alumnus and current assistant coach. Throughout his coaching tenure at both institutions, Alexander held only assistant roles and did not pursue or obtain any full-time head positions. His coaching work remained supplemental to his primary career in basketball broadcasting and analysis.

Personal life

Family

Cory Alexander's immediate family includes his three children: son Cory Alexander II, daughter Landyn Alexander, and son Aiden Alexander. Cory Alexander II followed a path in athletics distinct from his father's basketball career, playing outfield for the Old Dominion University Monarchs team from 2016 to 2019, where he appeared in 42 games as a senior in 2019. His mother is Anjanette Alexander-Brown. Alexander shares a close familial bond with his first cousin, , a prominent figure in who has served as head coach at (2016–2024) and the (2024–present). Brooks, who played at , grew up alongside Alexander in a duplex in , with their mothers as sisters; this shared upbringing fostered mutual support in their early pursuits at the local . Brooks' daughters, Kendyl and , extended the family's athletic legacy by playing at , with contributing as a guard from 2018 to 2022. Throughout Alexander's professional basketball career, his provided unwavering support, from his formative years in Waynesboro to his NBA tenure, emphasizing the role of close-knit relatives in sustaining his drive.

Business and other pursuits

Following his retirement from professional basketball, Cory Alexander founded Castles Real Estate in , in 2000, where he serves as owner and president, managing residential and commercial properties in the region. The firm, based in Henrico County, emphasizes client-focused services and has operated continuously for over two decades, contributing to Alexander's entrepreneurial portfolio beyond sports. In parallel, Alexander established the Cory Alexander Basketball School in 1995, initially in Charlottesville and later expanding to Richmond, with a mission centered on skill development, character building, and basketball fundamentals for aspiring players. The school operates year-round programs, including camps and clinics, fostering community sports initiatives by providing accessible training to local and promoting values like and through athletic engagement. Following 30 years of involvement, Alexander concluded his hands-on training role at the school after the summer 2025 session but continues as owner and president. Alexander maintains a balance among these ventures and his broadcasting roles, leveraging his basketball expertise across multiple platforms. As of November 2025, he continues to lead Castles Real Estate and the basketball school while having expanded his ESPN analyst position to include regular-season NBA game coverage during the 2024-25 season.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.