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2026-27 · Preseason · Preseason
Game state source: whynba · Retrieved Oct 9, 6:37 pm EDTNBA Most Improved Player winners
41 official selections across 41 award seasons, 1986–2026. Explore the winners, historical teams and repeat recipients.
Reference checked 2026-10-09; source revision dated 2026-09-08. Reference revision. Historical team names and recipient labels are preserved. Counts describe this dated award history.
At a glance
- Latest listed winner
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker — 2025–26
- Most selections in this history
- Aaron Brooks (1), Alan Henderson (1), Alvin Robertson (1), Bobby Simmons (1), Boris Diaw (1), Brandon Ingram (1), CJ McCollum (1), Chris Jackson (1), Dale Ellis (1), Dana Barros (1), Danny Granger (1), Darrell Armstrong (1), Don MacLean (1), Dyson Daniels (1), Gheorghe Mureșan (1), Giannis Antetokounmpo (1), Gilbert Arenas (1), Goran Dragić (1), Hedo Türkoğlu (1), Isaac Austin (1), Ja Morant (1), Jalen Rose (1), Jermaine O'Neal (1), Jimmy Butler (1), Julius Randle (1), Kevin Duckworth (1), Kevin Johnson (1), Kevin Love (1), Lauri Markkanen (1), Monta Ellis (1), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (1), Pascal Siakam (1), Paul George (1), Pervis Ellison (1), Rony Seikaly (1), Ryan Anderson (1), Scott Skiles (1), Tracy McGrady (1), Tyrese Maxey (1), Victor Oladipo (1), Zach Randolph (1)
- Distinct official recipients
- 41
Official winners by season
Career award no. is the recipient’s cumulative total at that selection. Team names reflect the franchise name at the time of the award.
| Season | Player | Team at award | Source position | Source nationality | Career award no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Atlanta Hawks | Guard | Canada | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks | Guard | Australia | 1 |
| 2023–24 | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 2022–23 | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | Forward | Finland | 1 |
| 2021–22 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 2020–21 | Julius Randle | New York Knicks | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 2019–20 | Brandon Ingram | New Orleans Pelicans | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 2018–19 | Pascal Siakam | Toronto Raptors | Forward | Cameroon | 1 |
| 2017–18 | Victor Oladipo | Indiana Pacers | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 2016–17 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | Forward | Greece | 1 |
| 2015–16 | CJ McCollum | Portland Trail Blazers | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 2014–15 | Jimmy Butler | Chicago Bulls | Guard / forward | United States | 1 |
| 2013–14 | Goran Dragić | Phoenix Suns | Guard | Slovenia | 1 |
| 2012–13 | Paul George | Indiana Pacers | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 2011–12 | Ryan Anderson | Orlando Magic | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 2010–11 | Kevin Love | Minnesota Timberwolves | Forward / center | United States | 1 |
| 2009–10 | Aaron Brooks | Houston Rockets | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 2008–09 | Danny Granger | Indiana Pacers | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 2007–08 | Hedo Türkoğlu | Orlando Magic | Forward | Turkey | 1 |
| 2006–07 | Monta Ellis | Golden State Warriors | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 2005–06 | Boris Diaw | Phoenix Suns | Forward | France | 1 |
| 2004–05 | Bobby Simmons | Los Angeles Clippers | Guard / forward | United States | 1 |
| 2003–04 | Zach Randolph | Portland Trail Blazers | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 2002–03 | Gilbert Arenas | Golden State Warriors | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 2001–02 | Jermaine O'Neal | Indiana Pacers | Forward / center | United States | 1 |
| 2000–01 | Tracy McGrady | Orlando Magic | Guard / forward | United States | 1 |
| 1999–00 | Jalen Rose | Indiana Pacers | Guard / forward | United States | 1 |
| 1998–99 | Darrell Armstrong | Orlando Magic | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 1997–98 | Alan Henderson | Atlanta Hawks | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 1996–97 | Isaac Austin | Miami Heat | Center | United States | 1 |
| 1995–96 | Gheorghe Mureșan | Washington Bullets | Center | Romania | 1 |
| 1994–95 | Dana Barros | Philadelphia 76ers | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 1993–94 | Don MacLean | Washington Bullets | Forward | United States | 1 |
| 1992–93 | Chris Jackson | Denver Nuggets | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 1991–92 | Pervis Ellison | Washington Bullets | Center / forward | United States | 1 |
| 1990–91 | Scott Skiles | Orlando Magic | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 1989–90 | Rony Seikaly | Miami Heat | Center | United States | 1 |
| 1988–89 | Kevin Johnson | Phoenix Suns | Guard | United States | 1 |
| 1987–88 | Kevin Duckworth | Portland Trail Blazers | Center | United States | 1 |
| 1986–87 | Dale Ellis | Seattle SuperSonics | Guard / forward | United States | 1 |
| 1985–86 | Alvin Robertson | San Antonio Spurs | Guard | United States | 1 |
Questions about this award history
- Who is the latest Most Improved Player winner in this archive?
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker — 2025–26, in the reference checked on 2026-10-09. This archive contains completed award selections, not predictions.
- Who has the most Most Improved Player selections in this history?
- Aaron Brooks (1), Alan Henderson (1), Alvin Robertson (1), Bobby Simmons (1), Boris Diaw (1), Brandon Ingram (1), CJ McCollum (1), Chris Jackson (1), Dale Ellis (1), Dana Barros (1), Danny Granger (1), Darrell Armstrong (1), Don MacLean (1), Dyson Daniels (1), Gheorghe Mureșan (1), Giannis Antetokounmpo (1), Gilbert Arenas (1), Goran Dragić (1), Hedo Türkoğlu (1), Isaac Austin (1), Ja Morant (1), Jalen Rose (1), Jermaine O'Neal (1), Jimmy Butler (1), Julius Randle (1), Kevin Duckworth (1), Kevin Johnson (1), Kevin Love (1), Lauri Markkanen (1), Monta Ellis (1), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (1), Pascal Siakam (1), Paul George (1), Pervis Ellison (1), Rony Seikaly (1), Ryan Anderson (1), Scott Skiles (1), Tracy McGrady (1), Tyrese Maxey (1), Victor Oladipo (1), Zach Randolph (1). Counts include official selections from award year 1986 through 2026; tied leaders are all included.
- How many seasons does this Most Improved Player archive cover?
- 41 award seasons and 41 official selections, from 1986 through 2026. A shared award counts as one season with multiple selections.