Ja Morant has been named the NBA’s most improved player after a season in which the Memphis Grizzlies point guard went from future star to superstar.
In his third year, Morant was named an All-Star starter and averaged career bests of 27.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game to go along with 6.7 assists.
Though listed at just 6-foot-3 and 174 pounds, Morant put together a highlight reel packed with spectacular dunks and finishes at the rim, and high-flying blocks.
Morant received 221 points (38 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters, according to the league’s news release. San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray finished second with 183 points, and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland finished third with 178.
The improvement Morant displayed helped the Grizzlies win 18 more games this season compared to last and go from playing their way in to the postseason last year to being the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference after a 56-26 regular season.