Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-2024 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award

Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard Tyrese Maxey has won the 2023-2024 Kia NBA Most Improved Player, the league announced Tuesday night.

Maxey, 23, bested several other players who displayed a big jump in play and performance from the previous season to this season. He finished with a total of 319 points with 51 1st place votes (equivalent to five points), 18 2nd place votes (three points), and 10 3rd place votes (one point).

Coby White of the Chicago Bulls finished a close second with 305 total points (32 1st, 43 2nd, 16 3rd) while 3rd finalist Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets had 92 points to his name.

Maxey becomes the 2nd 76er to win the award since Dana Barros in the 1994-1995 season after averaging 25.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.

The 6-foot-3 combo guard has ranked 11th in points per game with a +5.6 increase in ppg from last season and ranked 20th in assists per game with a +2.7 increase in apg. The first-time NBA all-star made a career-high 212 three-pointers in the season up from his 160 makes from last season.

Part of Maxey’s ascension this season has been becoming reigning MVP Joel Embiid’s true no.2 option and the two have formed a dynamic duo. Maxey has scored three 50-point games this season, tied for the most in the league.