Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues to show impressive growth in his sophomore season, becoming a more reliable all-around option for the Hokies. He’s also the perfect backcourt complement to Donovan Mitchell — something that can’t be said for Ricky Rubio.
At 6-foot-5, Alexander-Walker boasts the length to defend either guard spots, and he does so well. That offers more flexibility for Mitchell. He’s also an excellent secondary playmaker, allowing Spida to run the show when necessary, but also running the pick-and-roll and getting dribble penetration when necessary.
In a league that’s becoming increasingly oriented around 3-and-D wings, Alexander-Walker fits a high-demand mold. He’s shooting 43.5 percent from deep, bumping him over 40 percent in his collegiate career. The lottery seems quite possible.