Raptors’ Siakam named finalist for NBA’s Most Improved Player award

Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) prepares to slam the ball during second half NBA basketball action against the Portland Trail Blazers, in Toronto on Friday, March 1, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam has been named a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award for the 2018-19 season along with D’Angelo Russell and De’Arron Fox.

During the regular season, Siakam averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. In his first year as a starter, the 25-year-old shot 54.9 per cent from the field and 36.9 per cent from three-point range.

Russell averaged 21.1 points and seven assists to help end the Brooklyn Nets four-year playoff drought. Fox saw a significant improvement in his sophomore season averaging 17.3 points (from 11.6), 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals in his second year with the Sacramento Kings.

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