Ryan Anderson named NBA's Most Improved Player

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Bear Bytes

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Ryan Anderson named NBA’s Most Improved Player

By Chris Yoder | Staff

Last Updated May 8, 2012

Orlando Magic forward and former Cal player Ryan Anderson was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player on Friday.

Anderson, 23, led the NBA in 3-pointers made (166) and attempted (422), becoming the only power forward in league history besides former Magic Rashard Lewis to lead the NBA in those two categories. The fourth-year forward posted career highs in several categories, including points (16.1), rebounds (7.7), minutes (32.2) and field goal percentage (.439).

The 21st-overall pick out of Cal in 2008, Anderson was named first-team all Pac-12 in his sophomore season with the Bears after leading the conference with 21.1 points per game.

“It’s very surreal for me to be sitting where I am today,” Anderson said. “A year ago if you would have said I would be the Most Improved Player, I’d probably laugh at you in the face. This year has just been a culmination of a lot of different things and a lot of different people helping me.”