2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 3.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #8 & #10 After Lottery
By Chris Guest
#19. San Antonio Spurs — Nickeil Alexander-Walker
The San Antonio Spurs are always trying to bridge the gap between basketball smarts, underrated athleticism and ability to run a pro-level system under legendary coach Gregg Popovich (who was recently signed to an extension with the team).
With all those needs in mind, the Spurs would do well to select Nickeil Alexander-Walker out of Virginia Tech. NAW is the cousin of Clippers wunderkind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the two play similarly with a variety of skills, good length and size at the guard positions.
Alexander-Walker, in particular, helmed a fearsome Virginia Tech team that almost knocked off the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament, but fell one putback short of making history. Alexander-Walker was among the team’s best players, and his statistics across the board showcase an impactful all-around player.
16.2 points per game on 58.6 percent true shooting is a rock-solid clip, and Alexander-Walker’s assist number went up drastically once VT’s point guard, Justin Robinson, went down with an injury.
With good but not great size, NAW has the necessary length and ability to move laterally on the perimeter that is a requirement of the San Antonio Spurs defensive system. Even if Alexander-Walker takes a while to come along, he will have a stable of good guard defenders (Dejounte Murray, Derrick White) to help him make the most of his skills.