Dave Litman
If anyone doubts that the Atlanta Hawks are on the right track, all one needs to do is check the NBA’s Most Improved Player listings. For the second straight season, the Hawks are home to the MIP, this year with guard Nickeil-Alexander Walker taking the honors.
It’s certainly a well-deserved award, as Alexander-Walker posted a massive increase in his scoring average from 9.4 points per game last season to 20.8 PPG in his first year with the Hawks.
Alexander-Walker wins Most Improved Player after becoming major impact player for Hawks
The 27-year-old also had career highs in minutes played (33.4 mpg), three-point shooting percentage (39.9%), free throw percentage (90.2%), assists (3.7), rebounds (3.4) and steals (1.3).
The elite 3-and-D man is a tenacious perimeter defender, a 6’5″ combo guard who also acts as a secondary playmaker. He brings high intensity, energy, and smart plays on both ends of the floor.
He edged out Portland’s Deni Avdija and Detroit’s Jalen Duren for the award.
Last season, Alexander-Walker’s teammate Dyson Daniels won the MIP, making the Hawks the first team in NBA history to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
“Nickeil’s dedication, continual work on his craft, and the ensuing results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award,” said Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder. “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 finished the regular season at 46-36, in the 6-seed in the Eastern Conference. They were 42-29 in games in which Alexander-Walker started.
