Think Jamal Crawford with better defense...
ESPN InsiderNickeil Alexander-Walker | PG/SG | Virginia Tech
Up from No. 26 to No. 17
The 20-year-old combo guard is gaining considerable steam among NBA scouts after an outstanding showing at the Charleston Classic, which included a 25-point, 7-rebound, 3-assist outing in a win over Purdue. Through five games (all wins), Alexander-Walker is averaging 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals on 60.9 percent shooting from 2 and 40 percent from 3. So far, he looks much more like the multifaceted big guard we envisioned when we first evaluated him at Adidas Nations in 2015, rather than the fairly one-dimensional spot-up shooter we saw last year.
In 33 games as a freshman, Alexander-Walker used only 35 pick-and-roll possessions, generating a measly 0.657 points per play while connecting on only four pull-up jumpers all season. Although it's still early, Alexander-Walker's greatly increased on-ball duties have done wonders for his draft stock. He has already used 30 pick-and-roll possessions (35.7 percent of his offense) and is 8-of-14 on pull-ups, looking much more dynamic on the move. Most importantly, he has shown the vision and ambidextrous live-dribble passing that should allow him to play on the ball some in the NBA.
He's rarely sped up and has the physical profile NBA teams are looking for in a big guard at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds with a 6-foot-9 wingspan. He's an instinctual, competitive defender who should be able to check positions 1-3 as his impressive frame continues to fill out. Alexander-Walker is a high-floor prospect who at the very least can knock down spot 3s, think the game at a high level and defend his position. But it's his growing ability to play on the ball that could catapult him into the lottery conversation in what's considered a weak point guard draft. He should be able to carry his momentum into conference play, as the Hokies won't truly be tested again until they travel to Virginia on Jan. 15. -- Schmitz