Nickeil Alexander-Walker
{{short description|Canadian basketball player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Nickeil Alexander-Walker
| image = 2023-08-09 Deutschland gegen Kanada (Basketball-Länderspiel) by Sandro Halank–034.jpg
| caption = Alexander-Walker with Canada in 2023
| position = Shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 205
| league = NBA
| team = Minnesota Timberwolves
| number = 9
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|2}}
| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| high_school = * Vaughan Secondary School
(Vaughan, Ontario)
- St. Louis Christian Academy
(St. Louis, Missouri) - Hamilton Heights Christian Academy
(Chattanooga, Tennessee)
| college = Virginia Tech (2017–2019)
| draft_year = 2019
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 17
| draft_team = Brooklyn Nets
| career_start = 2019
| years1 = {{nbay|2019|start}}–{{nbay|2021|end}}
| team1 = New Orleans Pelicans
| years2 = 2020
| team2 = →Erie BayHawks
| years3 = {{nbay|2021|end}}–{{nbay|2022|end}}
| team3 = Utah Jazz
| years4 = {{nbay|2022|end}}–present
| team4 = Minnesota Timberwolves
| highlights = * Third-team All-ACC (2019)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|CAN}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA World Cup}}
{{MedalBronze|2023 Philippines–Japan–Indonesia|}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA Americas U18 Championship}}
{{MedalSilver|2016 Chile|Team}}
}}
Nickeil Alexander-Walker ({{IPAc-en|n|ɪ|ˈ|k|iː|l}} {{respell|nih|KEEL}};{{cite press release |author= |title=2023-24 start of season NBA pronunciation guide
|url=https://www.nba.com/news/2023-24-start-of-season-nba-pronunciation-guide |publisher=National Basketball Association |date=October 24, 2023 |access-date=May 18, 2024}} born September 2, 1998) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Virginia Tech Hokies. A shooting guard, he was drafted 17th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 NBA draft but was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
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.{{cite news |last1=Tipton |first1=Jerry |title=Competitive cousins shared a room in high school. UK-Virginia Tech game pits them against each other. |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article189644684.html |access-date=September 7, 2018 |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=December 13, 2017}} He was ranked the No. 74 prospect in the class of 2017 according to Scout.com.{{cite magazine |last1=Johnson |first1=Chris |title=The Sleeper Emerging as One of the 2018 NBA Draft's Best Guards |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2017/11/21/nickeil-alexander-walker-virginia-tech-nba-draft-prospect-sleeper |access-date=September 7, 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 21, 2017}}
College career
Alexander-Walker committed to Virginia Tech in May 2016, over offers from USC and Maryland. As a freshman for the Hokies, Alexander-Walker averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.{{cite news |last1=Watkins |first1=Evan |title=Nickeil Alexander-Walker named a Top 15 2019 NBA Draft prospect |url=https://247sports.com/college/virginia-tech/Article/Virginia-Tech-Hokies-Basketball-Nickeil-Alexander-Walker-named-a-Top-15-NBA-Draft-prospect-119290831/ |access-date=September 7, 2018 |work=247 Sports |date=June 23, 2018}} In his second game in college, he scored a season-high 29 points in a 132–93 win over The Citadel.{{cite news |title=Alexander-Walker carries Virginia Tech past The Citadel |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400986642 |access-date=September 7, 2018 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=November 12, 2017}} 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.{{cite news |title=Alabama edges Virginia Tech, 86–83 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/basketball-ncaa-vpi-ala-recap/alabama-edges-virginia-tech-86-83-idUSMTZEE3GO0I1X8 |access-date=September 7, 2018 |work=Reuters |date=March 16, 2018}}
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, where they advanced to the Sweet 16.{{Cite web |title=Duke 75-73 Virginia Tech (Mar 29, 2019) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401123388 |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
Professional career
=New Orleans Pelicans (2019–2022)=
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, alongside Allen Crabbe and draft considerations, for future teammate Taurean Prince{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/hawks-acquire-crabbe-conditional-2020-pick-from-nets|title=Atlanta Hawks Acquire Allen Crabbe And Conditional 2020 First-Round Pick From Brooklyn Nets|date=July 6, 2019|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=July 7, 2019}} and then immediately traded again to the New Orleans Pelicans.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/hawks-acquire-draft-rights-to-deandre-hunter-solomon-hill-conditional-2023-pick-from-pelicans|title=Atlanta Hawks Acquire Draft Rights To De'Andre Hunter, Solomon Hill And Conditional 2023 Second-Round Pick From New Orleans|date=July 6, 2019|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=July 7, 2019}} The next day, the Pelicans announced that they had signed Alexander-Walker.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-sign-hayes-and-alexander-walker|title=Pelicans sign Hayes and Alexander-Walker|date=July 7, 2019|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=July 7, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401160623|title=VanVleet scores career-high 34, Raptors top Pelicans 130–122|date=October 22, 2019|publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 22, 2019}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/pelicans-nickeil-alexander-walker-pops-for-career-high-27-points/|title=Pelicans' Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Pops for career-high 27 points|date=November 17, 2019|website=CBS Sports|access-date=March 2, 2020}}
On February 26, 2020, the Pelicans assigned Alexander-Walker to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League.{{cite web|url=https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2020/02/26/pelicans-assign-nickeil-alexander-walker-g-league-erie-bayhawks-assignment/|title=Pelicans assign rookie Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the G League|date=February 26, 2020|website=USA Today|access-date=February 29, 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2020/02/28/nickeil-alexander-walker-g-league-assignment-stats-highlights/|title=Nickeil Alexander-Walker goes for 23 points in first G League game|date=February 27, 2020|website=USA Today|access-date=February 29, 2020}}
On January 13, 2021, he started for the Pelicans and scored a career-high 37 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/nickeil-alexander-walker-shines-with-37-point-night-pelicans-fall-to-clippers-011421|title=Nickeil Alexander-Walker shines with 37-point night, Pelicans fall to Clippers|work=Fox Sports|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2021}}
=Utah Jazz (2022–2023)=
On February 8, 2022, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Tomáš Satoranský, Didi Louzada, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, the better of New Orleans' and Portland's 2026 second-round draft picks and New Orleans' 2027 second-round draft pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell.{{Cite press release|date=February 8, 2022|url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-complete-trade-new-orleans|title=TRAIL BLAZERS COMPLETE TRADE WITH NEW ORLEANS|publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}} A day later, Alexander-Walker was traded again, this time to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade.{{Cite web|title=Jazz Acquire Alexander-Walker and Hernangomez|url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/jazz-acquire-alexander-walker-and-hernangomez|access-date=February 9, 2022|publisher=National Basketball Association}}
=Minnesota Timberwolves (2023–present)=
On February 9, 2023, Alexander-Walker and Mike Conley Jr. were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, which sent Damian Jones, Russell Westbrook and Juan Toscano-Anderson to Utah and Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt and D'Angelo Russell to Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/minnesota-timberwolves-acquire-guards-mike-conley-and-nickeil-alexander-walker-from-utah-jazz|title=Minnesota Timberwolves Acquire Guards Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Utah Jazz|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=February 9, 2023}} He was re-signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 10, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-re-sign-nickeil-alexander-walker|title=Timberwolves Re-Sign Nickeil Alexander-Walker|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=July 10, 2023}}
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. He also competed for the Canadian senior national team in the 2020 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
On May 24, 2022, Alexander-Walker agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.{{Cite web |title=FOURTEEN ATHLETES COMMITTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AS SENIOR MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM SUMMER CORE REVEALED |url=https://www.basketball.ca/news/athletes-committed-to-represent-canada-as-senior-mens-national-team-summer-core-revealed |access-date=May 24, 2022 |website=Canada Basketball}} He was named to Canada's roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.{{cite web| title = Gilgeous-Alexander, Murray to lead NBA-experienced Canadian Olympic team in Paris| publisher = CBC / The Canadian Press | url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/basketball/canada-olympic-mens-basketball-roster-paris-1.7259301 | access-date = July 10, 2014}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2019}}
| style="text-align:left;"|New Orleans
| 47 || 1 || 12.6 || .368 || .346 || .676 || 1.8 || 1.9 || .4 || .2 || 5.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2020}}
| style="text-align:left;"|New Orleans
| 46 || 13 || 21.9 || .419 || .347 || .727 || 3.1 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || 11.0
|-
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"|New Orleans
| 50 || 19 || 26.3 || .375 || .311 || .722 || 3.3 || 2.8 || .8 || .4 || 12.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Utah
| 15 || 2 || 9.9 || .333 || .303 || .917 || 1.5 || 1.1 || 1.1 || .3 || 3.5
|-
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Utah
| 36 || 3 || 14.7 || .488 || .402 || .692 || 1.6 || 2.1 || .7 || .4 || 6.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota
| 23 || 0 || 15.5 || .384 || .361 || .619 || 1.8 || 1.4 || .3 || .3 || 5.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2023}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota
| 82 || 20 || 23.4 || .439 || .391 || .800 || 2.0 || 2.5 || .8 || .5 || 8.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2024}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota
| 82 || 10 || 25.3 || .438 || .381 || .780 || 3.2 || 2.7 || .6 || .4 || 9.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 381 || 68 || 20.8 || .414 || .360 || .743 || 2.5 || 2.3 || .7 || .4 || 8.6
{{s-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2022
| style="text-align:left;"|Utah
| 1 || 0 || 4.7 || 1.000 || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.000 || 1.0 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .0 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2023
| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota
| 5 || 4 || 29.6 || .429 || .400 || .667 || 2.0 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || 8.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2024
| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota
| 16 || 1 || 23.6 || .366 || .296 || 1.000 || 1.8 || 2.3 || .6 || .4 || 7.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2025
| style="text-align:left;"|Minnesota
| 15 || 0 || 20.7 || .389 || .349 || .882 || 1.8 || 2.3 || .4 || .3 || 8.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 37 || 5 || 22.7 || .389 || .331 || .903 || 1.8 || 2.2 || .5 || .4 || 7.8
{{s-end}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"|Virginia Tech
| 33 || 33 || 25.4 || .449 || .392 || .730 || 3.8 || 1.5 || .8 || .5 || 10.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"|Virginia Tech
| 34 || 34 || 34.3 || .474 || .374 || .778 || 4.1 || 4.0 || 1.9 || .5 || 16.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 67 || 67 || 29.9 || .464 || .383 || .763 || 4.0 || 2.7 || 1.4 || .5 || 13.5
{{s-end}}
Personal life
His cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also plays in the NBA, currently for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nickeil's mother Nicole is the sister of Shai's father Vaughn.{{Cite web |title=Bonus Timberwolves plug-in drama: A battle of cousins at Target Center|url=https://m.startribune.com/play-in-game-timberwolves-thunder-nickeil-alexander-walker-shai-gilgeous-alexander/600267129/ |access-date=April 14, 2023|website=Star Tribune|language=en}} Nickeil's cousin, Thomasi (Shai's younger brother), was a college basketball player for the Evansville Purple Aces and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.{{Cite web |title=Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander – Men's Basketball |url=https://neoathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/thomasi-gilgeous-alexander/5227 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |website=Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Athletics |language=en}}
Alexander-Walker is the nephew of sprinter Charmaine Gilgeous.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
Both Nicole and Charmaine attended St. Mother Teresa Catholic Academy in Malvern, Toronto.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
{{basketballstats}}
- [https://hokiesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9314 Virginia Tech Hokies bio]
- [https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Nickeil_Alexander-Walker/ACC/Virginia-Tech/381820 USBasket profile]
{{Minnesota Timberwolves current roster}}
{{Canada Squad 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup}}
{{2019 NBA draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander-Walker, Nickeil}}
Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players
Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen
Category:Basketball players from Toronto
Category:Black Canadian basketball players
Category:Black Canadian sportsmen
Category:Brooklyn Nets draft picks
Category:Canada men's national basketball team players
Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Canadian men's basketball players
Category:Canadian people of Antigua and Barbuda descent
Category:Erie BayHawks (2019–2021) players
Category:Minnesota Timberwolves players
Category:NBA players from Canada
Category:New Orleans Pelicans players