The Memphis Grizzlies made a huge leap this season, reaching a 56-26 record, avoiding any reasonable preseason anticipation. On Monday evening, the NBA announced that Ja Morant was the recipient of the league's most improved player award.
The 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Improved Player is Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies' guard!
NBA Communications (@NBAPR)
In just 33.1 minutes per game this season, Morant averaged 27,4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 assists. That was the first time he has selected an All-Star starter from the Western Conference, and Morant is the first MIP winner as a member of the Tigers.
In the wake of a team huddle and before the Grizzlies' Game 5 match against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was notified of the victory.
The Big 12 has some fresh ice .
Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz)
Although Most Improved Player candidacies are often difficult to parse, Morant made his case in making the leap from fringe prominence to certain superstardom. He averaged more than eight points per game in minutes, rebounds, steals, free throw attempts, and three-point percentage. That formula was good enough to outperform Spurs guard Dejounte Murray, who finished second, and Cavs guard Darius Garland, who finished third.
With the Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant is the first player to win the Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award.
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NBA Communications (@NBAPR)
Morant demonstrated in part that his teammate, Desmond Bane, was in his position, and that he excelled. Regardless, Morant is on the rise, and he has a piece of league-wide hardware for his mantle at an early stage in his career with a bright future.
