photo by: AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Portland Trail Blazers forward Cliff Alexander (34) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, in Denver.

Cliff Alexander is joining the Kansas alumni team JHX Hoops for its run in The Basketball Tournament this summer.

The news was announced on Wednesday morning. Alexander becomes part of a roster that so far includes Nick Timberlake and Lagerald Vick, with Tyshawn Taylor serving as general manager.

Alexander, who is originally from Chicago, was a member of the KU men’s basketball team for a single season, the 2014-15 campaign, before turning pro.

One of the top recruits in the class of 2014, which at KU also included Devonte’ Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk and Kelly Oubre Jr., the 6-foot-8 forward played in 28 games and started six before missing the end of the season due to NCAA eligibility concerns. In his brief tenure with the Jayhawks, he averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while pacing the team by shooting 56.6% from the field. He led KU in points (15) and rebounds (nine) in a road victory over Texas in late January and helped the team win a Big 12 title.

He did not play in the NCAA Tournament as KU lost in the second round to Wichita State. Alexander declared for the draft shortly following the season, one that Bill Self referred to at the time as “an interesting and educational year” for Alexander. He went unselected but signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, with whom he played eight games during the 2015-16 season after he had been hampered by an injury early in the year.

Alexander signed contracts with teams such as the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans at various points but did not play in another NBA game. In the meantime, he bounced around what is now known as the NBA G League for several seasons. In recent years, since 2018, he has played overseas, including in France, South Korea, Lebanon and most recently Venezuela.

This will be the first edition of TBT in which Alexander has participated. JHX Hoops will be playing in the Kansas City Regional at Municipal Auditorium from July 19-23.