Nickeil Alexander Walker

Image of Nickeil Alexander Walker
Image of Player Nickeil Alexander Walker

Player Information

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, born on September 2, 1998, is a Canadian professional basketball player currently playing for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. A versatile guard, he played college basketball for the Virginia Tech Hokies, where he showcased impressive skills leading to his selection as the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets. Shortly afterward, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he began his professional career, and later played for the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves. Known for his strong work ethic and competitive spirit, Alexander-Walker has made a name for himself in the league, contributing to his teams with his scoring ability and defensive prowess.
Birthdate:
2 September 1998
Full Name:
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Birthplace:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nationality:
Canadian
Gender:
Male
Height (cm):
196
Weight (kg):
93
Education:
Vaughan Secondary School (Vaughan, Ontario) (High School), St. Louis Christian Academy (St. Louis, Missouri) (High School), Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tennessee) (High School), Virginia Tech (College)
Career Started:
2019
Notable Achievements:
Third-team All-ACC (2019)
Current Team:
Atlanta Hawks
Contract:
Contract Year 2025 to 2029, Salary $62,000,000 USD
Draft Year:
2019
Drafted By:
Brooklyn Nets
Previous Teams:
New Orleans Pelicans (From 2019, To 2022), Utah Jazz (From 2022, To 2023), Minnesota Timberwolves (From 2023, To 2025)
Player Active:
From - 2019, To - Present

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Bio

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, born on September 2, 1998, is a Canadian professional basketball player currently playing for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A versatile guard, he played college basketball for the Virginia Tech Hokies, where he showcased impressive skills leading to his selection as the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets. Shortly afterward, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he began his professional career, and later played for the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves. Known for his strong work ethic and competitive spirit, Alexander-Walker has made a name for himself in the league, contributing to his teams with his scoring ability and defensive prowess.

Early Life and Background

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He attended Vaughan Secondary School, St. Louis Christian Academy, and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, where he honed his basketball skills. During his time at Hamilton Heights, he played alongside his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which fostered a strong bond between the two. According to Scout.com, Alexander-Walker was ranked as the 74th prospect in the class of 2017, showcasing his potential early on.

Path to Basketball

After high school, Nickeil Alexander-Walker committed to Virginia Tech in May 2016, choosing the Hokies over offers from other programs like the University of Southern California and the University of Maryland. As a freshman, he averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, making an immediate impact on the team. His sophomore year saw a significant improvement, as he averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, helping lead Virginia Tech to a successful season and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Career

Early Career (2019-2022)

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets. However, he was traded shortly after to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he began his professional career. He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2019, against the Toronto Raptors, contributing three points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. During his rookie season, he showcased his scoring ability, including a career-high 27 points in a game against the Miami Heat.

Breakthrough (2022-2023)

In February 2022, Alexander-Walker was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team deal. He continued to develop his game with the Jazz, contributing significantly during his time there. In February 2023, he was traded again, this time to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he re-signed in July 2023. Alexander-Walker played in all 82 games for the Timberwolves during the 2024-25 NBA season, averaging 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

Notable Works and Milestones

Throughout his career, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been recognized for his achievements, including being named Third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2019. He has made significant contributions to his teams, particularly noted for his performance in the playoffs, where he scored a career-high 23 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2025 Western Conference finals.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Award Nominations

Nickeil Alexander-Walker has received recognition for his performance on the court, including his selection to the Third-team All-ACC in 2019.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Awards Won

While he has not won any major awards, his consistent performance and contributions to his teams have established him as a valuable player in the NBA.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Family

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is closely related to fellow NBA player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as they are first cousins. Their families share a strong bond, and they spent significant time together growing up, practicing basketball during the summers.

Personal Life

Alexander-Walker has maintained a focus on his basketball career, with little public information available about his personal life outside of his family connections. He is known for his dedication to the sport and his commitment to improving his game.