NEW YORK – Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Improved Player, earning the George Mikan Trophy.

• Set career highs in scoring (20.8 ppg), rebounding (3.4 rpg), assists (3.7 apg), steals (1.31 spg), minutes (33.4 mpg), field goal percentage (45.9%), three-point field goal percentage (39.9%) and free throw percentage (90.2%) in 78 games

• Increased his scoring average from 9.4 points in 2024-25 to 20.8 points in 2025-26 (+11.4), the fifth player in the last 35 seasons with a year-over-year jump of 11.0+ ppg (qualified both seasons)

• Ranked fourth in the NBA with a Hawks franchise-record 251 three-pointers made, 110 more than his previous career high (141 in 2024-25)

• Recorded 10 games of 30 or more points, doubling his total from his first six seasons combined (five)

• With this honor, Atlanta becomes the first team with back-to-back Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award winners (Dyson Daniels, 2024-25)

A global media panel of 100 voters selected the winner of the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award.  The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.  The complete voting results are below.