New Orleans Pelicans select Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 17th overall pick

New Orleans Pelicans select Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 17th overall pick

New Orleans Pelicans select Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 17th overall pick
NBA

New Orleans Pelicans select Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 17th overall pick

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With the 17th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a highly regarded shooter, out of Virginia Tech.

Standing 6’6 with a 6’10 reach, Walker possesses good size for a shooting guard, and interestingly, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas compared him on air to Lou Williams for having a similar offensive skill set — including that wonderful shooting prowess.

In a sophomore 2018-19 campaign, Walker averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists, but it was his shooting percentages that really stand out. He shot over 53.7% from inside the arc and 37.4% from three-point range.

ICYMI: New Orleans received the eighth pick from the Atlanta Hawks a few hours ago when the Pelicans traded the fourth pick (via the Los Angeles Lakers) and Solomon Hill to the Hawks for their 8th, 17th and 35th picks in this draft. In addition, a protected 2020 first-round pick from the Cavalierswas included in that deal.