Nickeil Alexander-Walker


Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a Canadian professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the Virginia Tech Hokies. A shooting guard and a point guard, he was drafted 17th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 NBA draft.

High school career

A native of Toronto, Alexander-Walker played for Vaughan Secondary School, St. Louis Christian Academy, and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. At Hamilton Heights, he was a teammate of his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The two have a close relationship and shared a room at coach Zach Ferrell's house. Alexander-Walker committed to Virginia Tech in May 2016, choosing the Hokies over offers from USC and Maryland. He was ranked the No. 74 prospect in the class of 2017 according to Scout.com.

College career

As a freshman, Alexander-Walker averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. In his second game in college, he scored a season-high 29 points in a 132–93 win over The Citadel. He helped lead Virginia Tech to a 21-12 record and NCAA Tournament appearance. In the first round loss to Alabama, Alexander-Walker scored 15 points.
As a sophomore, Alexander-Walker averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game during the regular season. He helped lead Virginia Tech to a 24–8 season, with a 12–6 record in the ACC and a 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Professional career

New Orleans Pelicans (2019–present)

On June 20, 2019, Alexander-Walker was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 NBA draft.
On July 6, 2019, his draft rights were traded to the Atlanta Hawks and then immediately traded again to the New Orleans Pelicans. The next day, the Pelicans announced that they had signed Alexander-Walker. On October 22, 2019, Alexander-Walker made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 130–122 overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors. He finished the game with three points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
On November 16, 2019, Alexander-Walker scored a career-high 27 points, while getting four rebounds and three assists in a 109–94 loss against the Miami Heat.
On February 26, 2020, the Pelicans assigned Alexander-Walker to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League. On February 27, 2020, Alexander-Walker had 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his first G League game, a 125–124 win over the Long Island Nets.

National team career

Alexander-Walker competed for Canada at the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, leading the team to the silver medal. He led all scorers in the tournament with 17.4 points per game.

Career statistics

College

Personal life

His cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also plays in the NBA, currently for the Oklahoma City Thunder.