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Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: 5 Players to Watch at the NBA Draft Combine

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 30: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in action against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center on January 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 30: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in action against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center on January 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech

The Orlando Magic’s biggest need is undoubtedly shooting. That and someone who can create his own shot off the dribble. Finding the latter this late in the draft is going to be a bit more of a crapshoot. Finding shooting is something the Magic can address in the draft a little bit more.

Virginia Tech Hokies guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker fits the bill as a shooter and even something of a tough shot maker. He is not going to replace Terrence Ross’ shooting burst as a rookie, but he certainly has that potential.

At Virginia Tech last year, he averaged 16.2 points per game and shot 37.2 percent from beyond the arc. His 77.8 percent shooting from the foul line suggests this can translate.

In helping the Hokies make the NCAA Tournament, Alexander-Walker had 12 games scoring at least 20 points and dropped 25 points twice, including an early season neutral site game against the Purdue Boilermakers.

He was not a volume 3-point shooter. That was not his specialty in college. He hit five 3-pointers against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Otherwise, his shot distribution was fairly regular.

Alexander-Walker is not going to go out there and hunt threes. It will be interesting to see how he does in the shooting drills to see if he can establish himself as a more consistent 3-point threat. Especially at the NBA level. That seems to be his ticket to the league.

Otherwise, he has good instincts knowing when to drive and how to attack. At 6-foot-5, he has good size and even some good length.

The Hokies made their mark defensively and Alexander-Walker was a big part of that. He is not going to translate as one of the best defenders in the draft, but he can hold his own. According to Sports-Reference, he had an impressive +4.3 defensive box plus-minus and 2.5 defensive win shares.

As far as players the Orlando Magic can target, Alexander-Walker is near the top of the list for his length, defensive acumen and shooting potential.