New York (AFP) - Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum was named the NBA's Most Improved Player on Friday after a season in which he more than tripled his scoring average.
McCollum joins Kevin Duckworth (1987-88) and Zach Randolph (2003-04) as the only Trail Blazers to earn the award, which is designed to honor an up-and-coming player who has made a dramatic improvement from the previous season or seasons.
McCollum received 101 first-place votes and 559 total points from a panel of 130 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada.
Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker with seven first-place votes and 166 points and Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks (four first-place votes, 99 points) finished second and third.