Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Grizzlies' Ja Morant named NBA's Most Improved Player

By Adam Stites | Last updated Apr 25, 2022 7:13 PM ET

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant earned the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, the league announced Monday.

Morant, 22, is the first Grizzlies player to win the award after earning All-Star honors during the 2021-22 season. Morant received 38 first-place votes for the award, while only a few points separated Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs and Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers for second place.

Ja Morant is the first player to win the Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award with the Memphis Grizzlies.

More ➡️ https://t.co/DGowSmohq5

Voting Results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xRFlJ9dtEW
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 25, 2022

Morant was told about the news at practice Monday.

Big 12 has some new ice @jamorant pic.twitter.com/qa1F14pHEc
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 25, 2022

Morant was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and won Rookie of the Year honors when he averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in his first NBA season.

After averaging 19.1 points in year two, Morant emerged as one of the stars of the league this year with 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. He earned a starting spot in his first career All-Star Game and led the Grizzlies to a 56-26 record, tied for the franchise's best ever mark.

The Grizzlies are currently tied 2-2 with the Minnesota Timberwolves in a first-round series in the NBA Playoffs. Morant has averaged 20.5 points, 10.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in the first four games. In Game 3, he recorded the first playoff triple-double in franchise history to help lead the Grizzlies back from a 25-point third quarter deficit to win.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

More must-reads: