Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be trying out his best Jrue Holiday impersonations in Las Vegas.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker seemed to get better every week while in college. Through effort and growing on-court awareness, Alexander-Walker continuously made winning plays in crucial game moments.
Alexander-Walker boasts above-average vision and passing for his draft class. He is efficient and selective when shooting the ball, hitting 48% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc.
Alexander-Walker has shown the ability to finish at the rim with both hands. He is big enough to absorb contact and does not lose his handle in traffic on the first bump. He can run the pick and roll while getting to the free throw line often.
He needs to show that ability to control a game in a chaotic setting like Summer League. Any ball handler capable of calming down a frantic summer league session deserves some development time.
Alexander-Walker already fits the bill as a big combo guard capable of being a defensive menace who can initiate the offense and attack the basket. His shot is a mostly finished product. He can play point but prefers the off ball guard spot.
Alexander-Walker will try to be this summer’s best Jrue Holiday impersonator. Well, at least he will help ease the transition from Holiday to Zion Williamson the next four years. He is a top notch decision maker when leading the transition break.
Alexander-Walker lacks elite speed down the court or on his first step off the dribble. He does have some change of pace moves. However, he can shake himself into too many turnovers. If he cannot shake Summer League defenders, he likely won’t shake off his team issue warm-ups in games that matter.