Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey has been named the winner of the George Mikan Trophy as the 2023-24 Kia NBA Most Improved Player of the Year, the NBA announced Tuesday night.
After a season that saw Maxey seize the opportunity of becoming the team’s second option and leading them during Joel Embiid’s prolonged absence. Maxey saw career numbers in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals and was the only player in the NBA to average at least 25 points, six assists, and fewer than two turnovers.
It was a closely contested vote as Maxey came out ahead of Chicago Bulls guard Coby White by only 14 total points; that’s less than three first-place votes. To his credit, White has had an impressive rise this season as he also became his team’s secondary offensive option as Zach LaVine suffered injuries throughout the year. Improving his points per game by nearly 10, White enjoyed by far his best year as a professional this past season.
Maxey and the Sixers are currently preparing for their Game 3 matchup against the New York Knicks after a devastating Game 2 loss. The team will need the league’s Most Improved Player at the top of his game if they’re to have a chance to avoid going down 0-3 in the series.
