Joe Alexander
A high-flying NBA lottery pick whose journey from West Virginia standout to global basketball journeyman redefined the path of a professional athlete.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American basketball player·Birthday: December 26·Millennials
Biography
Joe Alexander's story is one of meteoric rise and a fascinating, globe-spanning basketball odyssey. Born in Taiwan to American parents, he exploded onto the scene at West Virginia University with a breathtaking athleticism that made him a highlight reel staple. His senior year dominance, marked by powerful dunks and improved shooting, propelled him to be the eighth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. The transition to the pros proved challenging, and after parts of two seasons, his NBA chapter closed. What followed, however, was anything but an end. Alexander embraced the life of an international basketball citizen, playing in leagues from Russia and Ukraine to Israel and South Korea. He became a star in this arena, his athleticism and skill translating into scoring titles and All-Star appearances, crafting a long, successful career that far outpaced his early NBA narrative and made him a pioneer as the first Taiwanese-born player drafted into the league.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Joe was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Joe Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Joe's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 8th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2008 NBA Draft, becoming the first Taiwanese-born NBA player.
- Named to the All-Big East First Team and an AP Honorable Mention All-American in 2008 after a standout season at West Virginia.
- Won the Israeli Basketball Premier League scoring title in 2013 while playing for Maccabi Haifa.
- Played professionally in over ten countries across Europe and Asia after his NBA stint.
Did You Know?
He did not start playing organized basketball until he was 13 years old.
He holds American, Israeli, and Lithuanian citizenship.
He won a slam dunk contest in the Israeli league in 2013.
“My game is built on attacking the rim with everything I have.”
