NBA Most Improved Player: Lauri Markkanen, Jalen Brunson in Close Race

Gilgeous-Alexander, widely known around the league as SGA, was the betting favorite to win Most Improved Player for the first half of the season. But his odds dipped to +400 after the NBA All-Star break.

Markkanen made a huge leap this season with the Jazz, and Brunson plays for the Knicks in the biggest media market in the NBA, which is why they re at the top of the board. If Gilgeous-Alexander didn t play on a small market team in Oklahoma City, he d get more attention for MVP and MIP honors.

The Canadian-born Gilgeous-Alexander grew up as a multi-star athlete in Hamilton, Ontario before he played a one-and-done season of college hoops at Kentucky.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Gilgeous-Alexander with the #11 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Los Angeles Clippers acquired him in a draft-day trade for Miles Bridges and a pair of second-round draft picks.

As a rookie with the Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander appeared in all 82 games, which is a rare feat these days. He earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie second team, but only played only one season in LA before the Clippers traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a deal for All-Star Paul George.

Gilgeous-Alexander surprised a lot of people when he signed a contract extension with the Thunder instead of bolting in free agency. The Thunder have been one of the worst teams in the NBA for the last few seasons, and Gilgeous-Alexander was easily the best player on a young and inexperienced squad.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA s fifth-best scorer this season. He s averaging 31.2 points, 57 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. He s averaging 6.7 more points per game than last season s previous career high of 24.5 ppg.