Bulls guard Carlik Jones has been named the NBA G League’s Most Valuable Player for the 2022/23 season, the league announced today (via Twitter). Thirty NBAGL head coaches and GMs voted on the award.
Jones joined the Windy City Bulls in the fall after spending the preseason on Chicago’s roster. His strong play at the G League level earned him a two-way contract in December and then a promotion to the Bulls’ 15-man roster about a month ago.
Jones has only made four brief appearances at the NBA level this season, but he put up big numbers in the NBAGL.
In 19 Showcase Cup games in the fall, the 25-year-old averaged 20.3 PPG, 7.3 APG, and 5.4 RPG with a .494/.387/.683 shooting line in 35.9 minutes per night. He boosted his scoring average to 26.1 PPG on .483/.360/.789 shooting in 24 regular season contests (38.3 MPG) while also contributing 7.0 APG and 4.4 RPG.
Windy City made it to the finals of the Showcase Cup in December and then went 18-14 in the G League regular season, including 15-9 when Jones played.
Jones’ contract with Chicago includes non-guaranteed salaries for 2023/24 and ’24/25, so the Bulls will be able to keep him on their NBA roster at the veteran’s minimum for two seasons beyond this one, if they so choose.
The runners-up in MVP voting were Kings center Neemias Queta and Nets guard David Duke, who are both on two-way contracts. They finished second and third, respectively.
Congratulations to Carlik Jones. It’s nice to see his hard work, professionalism and talent rewarded, not only with an NBA contract, but with this award. Proved himself at every rung of the ladder: Radford, Louisville, G League Elite Camp, NBA Combine, NBA Summer League, NBA G League. The work has paid off!
Carlik is an unheralded defender too.
Really surprised he wasn’t on a big league club to start the season.
So, the already-overcrowded Bulls backcourt has another potential contender. I suspect trading from strength is under consideration in the offseason.
Jump 25 HS All-Star Game alum/mvp…
Congrats, Carlik!