Men's Basketball: Beilein Signs Two
November 10, 2004 03:55 PM | General
November 10, 2004
 |
||
| Beilein |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University basketball coach John Beilein has announced the signing of Alex Ruoff and Joe Alexander to national letters of intent for the 2005-06 academic year.
Ruoff, a 6-6 guard from Brooksville, Fla., averaged 22.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game as a junior at Central High School. He was the St. Petersburg Times all-Citrus/Hernando Player of the Year last season.
"Alex displays so many of the characteristics that we currently have in our off-guard position," says Beilein. "He can shoot the ball from deep, has a tremendous understanding of the game and has a true passion for basketball. We're hoping he'll be able to give us what Johannes Herber and Patrick Beilein give us every day at that position."
Ruoff led Central to a share of the Gulf Coast Athletic conference championship in 4A and the school's first playoff berth in five years. He is ranked as one of the Top 50 seniors, according to recruiting service Hoopmasters.com.
Alexander, a 6-7 forward from Frederick, Md., currently attends Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. As a senior at Linganore High School in Frederick, he averaged 14.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in earning first-team Monocacy Valley Athletic League Chesapeake conference honors.
"We hope Joe can play both the guard and forward positions," says Beilein. "He is a sleeper, and in the past year, he has improved his game dramatically. His athleticism and attitude are outstanding. Like Alex, Joe is an excellent shooter and is the type of player we love to recruit."
Alexander set school records for blocks in a season (90) and season field goal percentage (58.0 percent). He was named the 2004 Frederick Gazette Player of the Year and earned first- team honors from the Frederick Gazette and Frederick News Post. Alexander also made the Washington Post's honorable mention all-Met team.
Both student-athletes have satisfied test score requirements for freshman eligibility.
