MORGANTOWN - An update on Joe Alexander has projected the West Virginia University star as the probable No. 8 overall pick, according to one National Basketball Association mock draft.

If it turns out that way, the 6-foot-8, 230-pound junior from Mount Airy, Md., would go to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Two other projections are slightly higher. One has Alexander going to the Sacramento Kings as the 12th pick, and DraftExpress.com looks for him to be selected 13th by the Portland Trailblazers.

While some college juniors already have removed their names from the June 26 NBA Draft, Alexander sounds like someone who believes he's physically ready for the next level and is oozing with confidence.

Jonathan Givony, president of DraftExpress.com, did a lengthy question-and-answer session with him last week in Las Vegas, where he has been working out for nearly two weeks with noted trainer Joe Abunassar.

It's certainly a very interesting interview.

The small forward/power forward prospect said he went out there after working out with WVU teammates in Morgantown for about a month.

He wanted a more intense tempo in preparation for the draft.

Alexander told DraftExpress he's in the best shape ever and that it's definitely game shape.

He said WVU Coach Bob Huggins and his assistants encouraged him to join some NBA veterans and other collegiate players testing the pro waters for daily workouts.

Keep in mind he does not have an agent, which means he continues to keep open his option to return to WVU for a senior year of eligibility.

Alexander said some of the stuff in Las Vegas is similar to what Huggins incorporates into workouts for Mountaineer players. Asked how he thinks he stacks up as far as the draft is concerned, he told DraftExpress:

"I definitely belong here."

Just being drafted apparently wouldn't be enough for Alexander, though. He said he wants to become someone who can dominate physically in the NBA, and in order to be that person he needs to become stronger.

He admittedly has been getting mostly positive feedback from being around pro scouts and club personnel.

"I'm just hearing stuff through the grapevine," he said in that interview.

Alexander said he sees himself in five years playing a big role on a good team.

"My athleticism has progressed with how hard I've worked at it," he said.

Asked about the pros and cons regarding his options, he said the advantage of turning professional now would be doing what he has wanted to do his whole life, which is to play in the NBA.

The advantage of coming back for another year of collegiate competition?

He replied, "I get to play under Coach Huggins and the rest of the staff.

"I can't say enough about what they did for me this year, and also I get to play with my teammates at WVU, my best friends."