Official: Alexander-Walker Wins Most Improved Player Award, Hawks Player Wins for Second Straight Year

On April 25 Beijing time, the NBA officially announced that Hawks player Alexander-Walker has been named the 2025-26 season's Most Improved Player (the trophy is named after George Mikan). Notably, this marks the second consecutive year a Hawks player has received this award. Last season's Most Improved Player was Daniels of the Hawks. The Hawks have also become the first team in NBA history to have players win the Most Improved Player award back-to-back.

Alexander-Walker received 66 out of 100 first-place votes, totaling 396 points. Duren ranked second with 254 points, and Avdija placed third with 135 points.

Alexander-Walker edged out Duren of the Pistons and Avdija of the Trail Blazers, completing one of the most remarkable individual transformations in recent years. Previously known for his defensive presence and bench role with the Timberwolves, he has now evolved into a full-time starter and offensive cornerstone for the Hawks.

His average points per game soared from 9.4 to 20.8, making him the first player since 2014 to achieve a scoring increase exceeding 10 points per game, and this marks the third-largest scoring surge in the past 25 years.

Even more impressive: while his shot volume significantly increased, his offensive efficiency actually improved. Over his first six seasons, he started only 68 games total; this season alone, Alexander-Walker started 71 games, firmly securing his role as a team cornerstone. He is also a key contributor to the Hawks' strong resurgence.

This season, Alexander-Walker's standout performance came on March 17 against the Magic. In that game, he shot 12-of-21 from the field, 9-of-14 from three-point range, contributing 41 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, setting a new career-high in scoring.

Alexander-Walker attributes much of his significant improvement to Hawks head coach Snyder. The two briefly worked together at the Jazz, where Snyder recognized his potential early and, during his tenure with the Hawks, provided ample room for his growth.

In an interview with NBA.com, Alexander-Walker stated: "Snyder saw a higher ceiling for me than I even saw for myself. That meant a lot to me because, throughout my career, I had never received that kind of recognition and trust."

The Most Improved Player Award was established in the 1985-86 season. Historically in the NBA, the teams with the most winners are the Pacers and the Magic, each having five recipients. Active stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, Tyrese Maxey, Lauri Markkanen, Brandon Ingram, Jimmy Butler, and Paul George have all won the Most Improved Player award.

Appendix: List of Most Improved Players over the past 10 years—

2025-26 season: Alexander-Walker (Hawks)

2024-25 season: Dyson Daniels (Hawks)

2023-24 season: Tyrese Maxey (76ers)

2022-23 season: Lauri Markkanen (Jazz)

2021-22 season: Ja Morant (Grizzlies)

2020-21 season: Julius Randle (Knicks)

2019-20 season: Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)

2018-19 season: Pascal Siakam (Raptors)

2017-18 season: Victor Oladipo (Pacers)

2016-17 season: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)