Having Julius Randle named the NBA’s Most Improved Player was not a big surprise. The former Kentucky standout went from averaging 19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last year to averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in his first season with the New York Knicks.
Not only did he lead the Knicks in all three categories but he became the first Knick ever to average at least 24 points, 10 rebounds, and at least 6 assists per game in a season.
Only five other players in league history have ever recorded those numbers.
What was a surprise Tuesday was the way Randle found out he won the award while the Knicks were preparing for game two of the playoffs against Atlanta on Wednesday night.
Randle’s 4-year-old son, Kyden, had on his father’s jersey when he came on the court with the Most Improved Player award. Randle hugged his son as teammates applauded.
Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. and Pistons forward Jerami Grant were the other top candidates for Most Improved Player. Randle had 98 first-place votes from the 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who voted.
Randle, the first former UK player to win the award which began in 1986, made the All-Star Game for the first time this season. He had six triple-doubles, the most by any New York player in 29 years. He hit 160 3-pointers after making just 168 in his first six NBA seasons — maybe that was the confidence former UK assistant coach Kenny Payne instilled in him.
Randle was a double-double machine at UK during the 2013-14 season when UK played in the national title game. He had nation-best 24 double-doubles in 40 starts and averaged 15 points and 10.4 rebounds for a team that got on an incredible postseason run. He set freshman records for made free throws (204) and rebounds (417).
