Sixers All-Star Tyrese Maxey wins NBA Most Improved Player award

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is the NBA Most Improved Player, the league announced Tuesday evening (Wednesday, April 24, Manila time)

A first-time All-Star selection this season, Maxey won the award over finalists Coby White of the Chicago Bulls and Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets.

Maxey had 51 first-place votes (worth five points), 18 for second place (worth three) and 10 for third (worth one) for 319 total points. White (32 first-place votes) had 305 points, and Sengun (six) had 92.

Maxey, 23, improved his scoring average from 20.3 in 2022-23 to 25.9 this season, and also set career bests in average assists (6.2), rebounds (3.7), steals (1.0) and blocks (0.5) as well as minutes (37.5).

He ranked 11th in the league in scoring average and 20th in assists. He also made a career-best 212 3-pointers, up from 160 last season.

“The Most Improved Player award is a testament to your incredible work ethic, including countless early mornings in the gym perfecting your craft,” 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said in a statement.

“Your journey to All-Star in just your fourth season is inspirational to everyone who watches you play. Your dedication to continuous improvement and excellence has you on the path from MIP to MVP.”

Philadelphia selected Maxey 21st overall in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. He finished sixth in the MIP vote for the 2021-22 season.

This year, he averaged 1.7 turnovers, becoming with Dallas guard Kyrie Irving (also set in 2023-24) the only two players in NBA history to average at least 25.0 points and 5.0 assists with fewer than 2.0 turnovers for a full season.

“Tyrese is a tireless worker who has elevated his game to an All-Star level in a short period of time,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said in the statement.

“In my years of coaching against him and our one year together so far, it is clear that he brings a special joy and energy to the game of basketball and his enthusiasm and work ethic will continue to lift his game for years to come.”

Maxey, who tied for the most 50-point games (three) in the league this season, became the second 76ers player to win the award, joining Dana Barros in 1994-95. – Rappler.com