Hawks' Alexander-Walker wins 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player Award

Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker named 2025-2026 NBA Most Improved Player Award.

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Improved Player for second straight year, earning the George Mikan Trophy.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker has officially won the 2025-2026 NBA Most Improved Player Award after a breakout season with the Atlanta Hawks. His win also made history, as Atlanta became the first NBA team to have back-to-back winners after Dyson Daniels claimed the award last year.

Alexander-Walker received 66 first-place votes, beating Detroit Pistons star Jalen Duren and Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija.

The Canadian guard shocked the league by raising his scoring average from 9.4 points last season to 20.8 points this year. He also posted career-best shooting numbers, hitting 46% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line.

He delivered 10 games with 30 or more points, including a career-high 41-point performance against the Orlando Magic on March 16.

After starting the season as a sixth man, Alexander-Walker earned a full-time starting role and became one of Atlanta’s biggest weapons. His rise comes at the perfect time, with the Hawks leading the New York Knicks 2-1 in their playoff series.

For NBA fans in the USA and Canada, this could be just the start of a bigger superstar story.

Most Recent NBA Most Improved Player Award Winners List of Last 20 Years

2025-26 — Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks )

2024-25 — Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks )

2023-24 — Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers )

2022-23 — Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz )

2021-22 — Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies )

2020-21 — Julius Randle, New York Knicks )

2019-20 — Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans )

2018-19 — Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors )

2017-18 — Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers 

2016-17 — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks )

2015-16 — C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers 

2014-15 — Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

2013-14 — Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns

2012-13 — Paul George, Indiana Pacers

2011-12 — Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic

2010-11 — Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwlves

2009-10 — Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets

2008-09 — Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

2007-08 — Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic

2006-07 — Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

2005-06 — Boris Diaw, Phoenix Suns

2004-05 — Bobby Simmons, LA Clippers

____