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Alexander's unhealthy work ethic

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Coming out of high school in suburban Maryland, Joe Alexander could not entice a Division II program to offer him a scholarship. Now, as he finishes his junior season at West Virginia, he is suddenly confronted with the decision of whether to enter the NBA draft. The details of Alexander's path from recruiting afterthought to breakout star are unique. He spent six years of his childhood in China and barely played on his prep school team. But the recipe he has used to rise to stardom is familiar -- he has a work ethic so maniacal that one of his brothers refers to it as "unhealthy." That is what spurred Alexander to shoot at midnight in parks in Beijing, sleep in West Virginia's basketball arena, and have his cellphone voicemail message say that he will not call back until the Mountaineers' season ends.

New York Times

Joe Alexander , AP Joe Alexander , AP

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March 25, 2008  08:31 AM ET
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doesnt seem unhealthy to me. thats where alexander is where he is...for busting his butt and following his dream

March 25, 2008  09:27 AM ET
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That's not unhealthy. That is called WORK!!

March 25, 2008  09:50 AM ET
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That's FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take notes kids!!!!!!!

March 25, 2008  01:17 PM ET
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Slacker

March 25, 2008  01:38 PM ET
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Dont call til the seasons over...haha thats great!

March 25, 2008  01:51 PM ET
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Thank you from the bottom of my gut............for beating Duke!

March 25, 2008  03:31 PM ET
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That A Boy! That not crazy IT's WHAT IT TAKES TO BE DOMINATE!

March 25, 2008  03:37 PM ET
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Hmmmm since when did actual Hard work and Passion become unhealthy
and we wonder what is going on with kids now a day

March 25, 2008  06:48 PM ET
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That's what I call focus!

March 25, 2008  07:26 PM ET
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I'm a HARDCORE DOOKIES fan and the exhibition i saw that kid put on, sataurday afternoon, blew my mind!! It got tot he point where i became heavily nauseated everytime he touched the ball on O or D, nowing that he was UNSTOPPABLE. Dude is SICK!! Would of looked mighty nice in a DOOKIES uniform.

March 25, 2008  09:34 PM ET
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Only in America can someone be called unhealthy for having a work ethic

March 25, 2008  10:04 PM ET
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I wish I could shake the hands of his parents. That work ethic came from somewhere.

March 25, 2008  10:41 PM ET
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Joe, You just keep doing your thing! Work hard play harder! Glad to see you in the old Gold & Blue! LET'S GOOO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!

March 26, 2008  01:19 AM ET
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Is it unhealthy Joe to read articles about you while eating a twinkie ?

March 26, 2008  11:47 AM ET
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Great qualities....dedication, perseverance, a love for the game and a desire to excel to be the best he can be. You go Joe! I'm proud you're wearing the Mountaineer uniform. LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!

March 26, 2008  03:34 PM ET
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I was very impressed with Joe Alexander's basketball game the first time I saw it. His skill, knowledge, passion and determination is a joy to watch and to read that his brother called his work ehtic unhealthy is funny because that's why so many of our youths are unhealthy because they have no work ethic and self-motivation.(HARD WORK PAYS OFF.)

March 27, 2008  08:29 PM ET
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JOE DA MAN!!!

 
March 29, 2008  10:05 PM ET
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Very good player and seems like a GREAT kid.

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