Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker rose 41 spots on ESPN's top 100 NBA players list.
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker rose 41 spots on ESPN's top 100 NBA players list for the 2026-27 season.
Alexander-Walker was ranked No. 96 last season. He's ranked No. 55 for the 2026-27 campaign.
"In his first season with the Hawks, Alexander-Walker set career highs in scoring (20.8 points per game) and in efficiency, establishing himself as the starting shooting guard for one of the hottest teams in the NBA down the stretch of 2025-26," ESPN wrote. "Alexander-Walker is a shooter/scorer who can create off the dribble or operate as a spot-up shooter, and is a disruptive defender. The reigning Most Improved Player has All-Star upside this season."
Alexander-Walker won the Kia Most Improved Player of the Year award for the 2025-26 season. He's a special player.
The Hawks acquired Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason. Alexander-Walker averaged 20.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game during the 2025-26 regular season. He averaged only 9.4 points per game in 2024-25 with Minnesota.
Alexander-Walker shot 45.9% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line last season. The Hawks are the first team since the Most Improved Player of the Year award’s conception to have back-to-back winners.
Dyson Daniels won the award in 2024-25.
The cousin of Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Alexander-Walker has career averages of 10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in the NBA. He's played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, Timberwolves and Hawks.
“Nickeil's dedication, continual work on his craft, and the ensuing results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said. "He has a tireless work ethic and a focus on improving in every aspect of his game. His game continues to evolve, and his commitment and unselfish attitude as a teammate have also positively impacted the success of the team.”
The Hawks went 46-36 and won the Southeast Division last season.
Atlanta lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, but remember, the Hawks were the only team to beat the Knicks twice in the 2026 postseason.
That shows how good the Hawks will be moving forward.
