Atlanta's Nickeil Alexander-Walker wins the NBA's Most Improved Player award

A man wearing a white Atlanta basketball jersey raises his arms up in celebration
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) celebrates his three-point shot against the Boston Celtics in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was voted the NBA’s 2026 Most Improved Player on Friday, beating out finalists Deni Avdija and Jalen Duren to become the second Hawks player to win the award in two years.

It was, by far, the best statistical season of Alexander-Walker’s career after Dyson Daniels won the trophy last season.

“I’m glad I love this game so much,” Alexander-Walker said. “I don’t know where I’d be without it. Glad that I had people who believed in me when I didn’t, and when they say it takes a village, I used every single person in mine.”