Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The 2021-22 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 19, with two former Hokies – Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Justin Robinson – prepared to make an impact on their teams' backcourts.
Alexander-Walker, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, enters his third season in the league with the New Orleans Pelicans. On Oct. 13, it was announced the Pelicans would exercise their fourth-year option on the former third-team All-ACC guard, whose productivity in the league has increased exponentially in two years.
In the 2020-21 campaign, Alexander-Walker made 13 starts – averaging 19 points, five boards, and three assists in those appearances.
Under new head coach Willie Green, Alexander-Walker will look to expand on those opportunities as he competes for a starting spot in the Pelican's lineup with Josh Hart.
Alexander-Walker certainly made his case through four preseason games – averaging 14.8 points, three rebounds, and 2.8 assists. In a 104-86 win over the Orlando Magic, the Toronto native knocked down a team-high five three-pointers in a 19-point performance.
NAW with FIVE 3s already 😳#ProHokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/Z26NFPYufQ
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) October 7, 2021
The Pelicans open play on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Robinson joined the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks in September on a two-way contract with its G-League affiliates, the Wisconsin Herd, following stints with the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder during his first two seasons. On Oct. 17, it was announced Tech's all-time career assists leader had beat out Javin DeLaurier and Tremon Waters for a spot on the Bucks' 16-man roster.
The former second-team All-ACC guard established his spot in the Bucks' rotation through five preseason games – averaging 6.2 points and 1.8 assists off the bench.
Justin Robinson (@5Alive_) is heating up. 👌🔥 pic.twitter.com/xF3VumrePa
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 6, 2021
In August, Robinson had an impressive showing in the 2021 NBA Summer League for the Los Angeles Lakers. In four games, he averaged 8.5 points and three dimes.
In his journey to be an established member of an NBA squad, Robinson has proven to be a scorer and facilitator on offense. He was an integral part of the Delaware Blue Coats offense in 2020 and 2021, including his contribution of 5.5 points and 5.9 assists in 13 games, as the Blue Coats reached the 2021 NBA G League Final.
The Bucks tip-off on Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.