Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been declared the Most Improved Player of the season 2025-2026. With this win, his team, the Hawks, have become the only team in history that has players who have won the award back-to-back- Dyson Daniels (2024-25) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (2025-26). Alexander is the third player in league history to have won the improved season award in his seventh season or later.

Alexander’s average career high points per game is 20.8, rebounds is 3.4, assists per game is 3.7 and steals per game is 1.31 this past season. He has a field goal percentage (.459%), three-point field goal percentage (.399%) and free throw percentage (.902%), appearing in 78 games and making 71 starts this season. From his 2024-2025 season, he has increased his scoring by 11.4 points, which is the third highest among all qualified players from one season to another in the last 25 years. In his 76 games, he has netted more than 10 times, which makes him the third most among all players of the league behind Kevin Durant and Julius Randle. He averaged 22.7 in March, and thus, he definitely deserves to get the most improved player of the season award.

“Alexander has positively impacted the success of the team”, says Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder

Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder has also commented on Alexander’s improvement this season. He has said that Alexander’s zeal and tireless efforts each day have given him this result, and this has also positively impacted the success of the team.

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He said, “Nickeil's dedication, continual work on his craft, and the ensuing results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award. 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.”

Hawks’ General Manager Onsi Saleh also exclaimed his heartiest congratulations to Alexander for achieving this feat, and he said he is happy that Nickeil’s hard work is finally recognised by the league. He added, “Nickeil truly embodies what it means to be the best version of yourself, and we are excited for his future growth in our program.”

Although there were expectations that Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers or Jalen Duren could grab the award, ultimately, Alexander-Walker has grabbed the award, being the most deserving.