Grizzlies: Ziaire Williams is good bet for NBA Most Improved Player

Ziaire Williams is a good bet for NBA Most Improved Player award. He averaged 8.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in his rookie season. Last year, Memphis teammates Ja Morant and Desmond Bane finished in the top 5 for the award, with Morants taking home the trophy.

Ziaire Williams had a slow start to his professional career, averaging just 6.8 points in the 33 games he played before February. He had two 20-point outings in February, both career-high marks.

Ziaire Williams is a candidate for NBA Most Improved Player award. His dribbles per touch increased 166% from before to after the All-Star Game. He spent 61.4% of his minutes defending guards during the regular season and 67% in the playoffs. He played on the summer league roster for Memphis. Only Tyrese Maxey and Anthony Edwards played more minutes than him. They are 21 years old or younger. The number of minutes they played was the lowest for players 21 and under.

"His ability to shoot off the bounce is at a really high level. He's expanding his game, not just being a guy who just stands in the corner."

Rookie has guarded everyone from Stephen Curry to Luka Doncic.

Williams played in NBA 2K23 Summer League with a higher percentage of offensive possessions as the ball-handler in pick and roll sets than in the regular season. Last year the Grizzlies gave Desmond Bane a similar role at summer league before giving him a bigger offensive load once the season began.

Grizzlies coach Mike Conley believes Ziaire Williams is good bet for NBA Most Improved Player.