Yahoo Finance Pelicans star Brandon Ingram named NBA's 2019-20 Most Improved Player
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player on Monday.
Ingram received 42 first-place votes from a panel of 100 media members and broadcasters, narrowly edging Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo for the award. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic finished third.
The No. 2 overall pick in 2016, behind Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, Ingram averaged career highs of 23.8 points (on 46/39/85 shooting splits), 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 33.9 minutes per game this season, his first with the Pelicans. He also debuted on the Western Conference All-Star team as a reserve. Ingram was one of seven players to average 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal, joining Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.
The 22-year-old was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers — along with Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and four first-round picks — for Anthony Davis last summer. Ingram will become a restricted free agent later this year. He is in line for a nine-figure maximum extension from the Pelicans after four seasons on his rookie contract.
Ingram averaged 18.3 points (50/33/68 splits), 5.1 rebounds and three assists for the Lakers last season.
Other players receiving votes, in order: Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum, Charlotte Hornets guard Devonte Graham, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, Detroit Pistons forward Christian Wood, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans, Celtics wing Jaylen Brown, Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie and Miami Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson.
Siakam captured the award last season for the Raptors.
Earlier this month, Raptors coach Nick Nurse was named the Coach of the Year, and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo won the Defensive Player of the Year honor. The remaining awards — Executive of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year, MVP and All-NBA rosters — have yet to be announced.
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Ben Rohrbach is a staff writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @brohrbach
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