Suns notebook: Alexander reminds many of Marion

Since the Suns traded away their most athletic and versatile wing player during the season in Shawn Marion, one of Phoenix's goals this summer is to acquire a player with a similar skill set.

If they take West Virginia's Joe Alexander in the June 26 draft, they will be able to cross that priority off their to-do list.

Alexander has often been compared to Marion, and the 21-year-old said the assessment fits.

"I like the comparison because we're both really athletic," Alexander said Thursday after working out for Phoenix at US Airways Center. "We can guard multiple positions because of our strength, and we're both real energetic players and explosive players."

The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Alexander led West Virginia in scoring (16.8), rebounding (6.4) and blocked shots (1.5) and was first-team All-Big East.

"He's a freak athlete. He can really, really jump," Suns vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. "He's special as a competitor. He's an unbelievably tough kid."

Alexander was one of six wing players to work out for the Suns. He was joined by Arizona sophomore Chase Budinger, BYU junior and former Mesa High star Lee Cummard, Oregon senior Maarty Leunen, UNLV senior Curtis Terry (the brother of Mavericks guard Jason) and Frenchman Nicolas Batum.

The Suns brass will get a look at 24 more players, most with first-round potential, today and Saturday in Oakland, Calif. The Suns are one of seven teams that will be on hand.

COME BACK

While Budinger is projected to be picked somewhere between Nos. 15 and 25, Arizona coach Lute Olson is putting on a full-court press to encourage him to return to school.

"He's been sending me e-mails trying to put as much information in my head to come back," said Budinger, who was eighth in the Pac-10 in scoring (17.1) this past season. "He's just trying to recruit me all over again."

Budinger wouldn't give any indication as to which way he is leaning. He has only a few more days to decide. All underclassmen who haven't hired an agent have until Monday to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

HOMETOWN KID

Cummard also isn't ready to announce a decision on his future, but it seems almost certain he will return to BYU.

He isn't even listed on most mock drafts, but he said he doesn't pay attention to those anyway.

"I'm not one of the top guys, so I really don't worry about it too much," said Cummard, who added he will consult with BYU coach Dave Rose before making a decision.

Still, putting on Suns gear was a dream come true.

"I told some of the guys that Mark West was my favorite player when I was younger. ... To see him watch me work out is neat," Cummard said.

BONUS SHOTS

General manager Steve Kerr said he and new coach Terry Porter have just started the process of searching for assistant coaches. Kerradded he and Porter will turn their attention to that task next week.

The Iowa Energy are the new NBA Development League affiliate for the Suns.