Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Lore & Background

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Alexander-Walker played basketball at Vaughan Secondary School, St. Louis Christian Academy, and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. While at Hamilton Heights, he was teammates with his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and they shared a room at their coach's house during that time. He was ranked as the no. 74 prospect in the class of 2017 by Scout.com. He committed to Virginia Tech in May 2016, over offers from USC and Maryland. As a freshman, he averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. As a sophomore, he averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, helping Virginia Tech to a 24–8 season and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

In Their Own Story

The lights of Target Center hummed with the electric tension of a tight playoff game. With seconds ticking away on the clock, Nickeil Alexander-Walker sprinted down the hardwood, his eyes locked on the rim. He caught a pass near half-court, dribbled once to create space, and launched a deep three-pointer that swished through the net, silencing the crowd and igniting the Timberwolves' bench in celebration.

Reader's Guide

Alexander-Walker was selected 17th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 NBA draft. His draft rights were traded to the Atlanta Hawks, then immediately to the New Orleans Pelicans. He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2019. He played for the Pelicans until February 8, 2022, when he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, then a day later to the Utah Jazz. On February 9, 2023, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade. He was re-signed by the Timberwolves to a two-year, $9 million contract on July 10, 2023. He played for the Timberwolves through the 2024–25 season. On July 6, 2025, he signed a four-year, $62 million contract in a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. In the 2025–26 season, he won the NBA Most Improved Player award, averaging 20.8 points per game and setting the Hawks franchise record for most three-pointers in a season with 251.

Did You Know?

• Alexander-Walker was teammates with his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy.
• He scored a career-high 41 points on March 16, 2026, in a win over the Orlando Magic.
• He became the first Canadian to win the NBA Most Improved Player award in 2026.
• He led all scorers at the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship with 17.4 points per game.