Antetokounmpo adds to trophy case with NBA's Most Improved Player award
It’s time to expand the Greek Freak’s trophy case once again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2016-17 season on Monday night after a memorable 82-game stretch (plus playoffs) that confirmed the 6-foot-11 forward from Greece will be one of the league's biggest stars for years to come.
Antetokounmpo went from raising eyebrows in his first three seasons to dropping jaws of players, coaches and fans around the NBA in his fourth – and best – professional season.
He set career highs in every per-game statistical category, including points (22.9), rebounds (8.8), assists (5.4), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.9). The Greek Freak became the fifth player since 1946-47 to lead his team in all five of those categories, and the first since LeBron James in 2008-09.
Giannis wasn't at the awards show in New York City to accept the prize, but he left a message for Bucks fans via the team's Twitter account.
A thank you to his teammates, coaches, fans and family from @Giannis_An34 after winning the @NBA's Most Improved Player ? #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/mLXfWjrRwN
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 27, 2017
It’s the fourth NBA honor of his career and the third for his incredible 2016-17 season alone. Antetokounmpo earned a spot on the All-Rookie second-team in 2014, and he was voted an All-Star starter and named to the All-NBA second-team this season.
He beat out Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz to win the award. Antetokounmpo joined Gobert, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Isaiah Thomas on the All-NBA second-team.
Giannis wasn't the only Bucks player to take home a trophy. Guard Malcolm Brogdon won the Rookie of the Year award, becoming the second Bucks rookie to receive the honor -- and the first since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970.
