Troy Wayrynen
Davis Alexander made his debut with the Montreal Alouettes, while Ime Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals.
Football 5/30/2022 12:27:00 PM by Mike Lund
It was a good weekend for former Portland State Vikings in professional sports.
The most obvious moment came on Sunday evening when first-year Head Coach Ime Udoka led his Boston Celtics team past the top-seeded Miami Heat in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals in Miami. That milestone follows leading the Celtics to 51 victories, knocking off the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks and twice earning NBA Coach of the Month honors this season. Udoka now takes his team up against a dynamic Golden State Warriors team in the Celtics’ quest for the organization’s 18th NBA title.
Udoka, a native of Portland and Jefferson High School prep, starred for the Vikings’ men’s basketball team as an All-Big Sky Conference performer in 1999-2000.
North of the border, former Portland State quarterback Davis Alexander made his debut with the Montreal Alouettes after signing a free agent contract in the spring. Still seeking a spot on the roster, Alexander was listed as number three on the depth chart going into a Saturday exhibition game with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Alexander gave his coaches something to think about by his performance.
Alexander entered the game in the fourth quarter, completing 11 of 14 passes for 106 yards. With less than three minutes to play and the Alouettes trailing 22-15, Alexander marched the offense downfield. He scored on a quarterback sneak in the final minute of play, then completed a two-point conversion pass to Krishawn Hogan for a 23-22 lead. Unfortunately, the Tiger-Cats kicked a field goal on the final play for a 25-23 win.
Alexander, a 2021 All-Big Sky Conference second team selection, completed his PSU career ranked second in virtually every passing category behind Neil Lomax. His next opportunity may come this Friday in the second and final preseason game against the Ottawa Redblacks. The regular season begins on June 9.
Both Udoka and Alexander should keep Portland State fans and Portlanders interested in their respective journeys into the month of June.
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