Guard Elijah Harkless, who is on a two-way contract with the Jazz, has been named the NBA G League’s Most Improved Player for the 2024/25 season, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).
Harkless earned the award for his time with the San Diego Clippers and Salt Lake City Stars. He’s the first player from the Stars to win NBAGL MIP, according to the press release.
After averaging 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steal in 20 regular season games (22.7 MPG) for San Diego in 2023/24, the 25-year-old improved his counting stats across the board in ’24/25, averaging 26.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.4 APG and 1.3 SPG in 19 regular season appearances, 17 of which came for Salt Lake City (31.4 MPG). He has posted a .447/.419/.745 shooting line during the G League’s regular season.
Harkless, who went undrafted out of UNLV in 2023, was named to the NBAGL’s Up Next event — essentially the G League’s All-Star game — earlier this season. He also had a stint in the Canadian Elite Basketball League with the Saskatchewan Rattlers this past spring.
Known for his defense, Harkless has played 10 games for Utah in what is technically his rookie NBA season. The combo guard has averaged 3.2 PPG, 2.1 RPG and 1.0 SPG in 13.8 MPG during those appearances.
Drew Timme and Tyson Etienne of the Nets finished second and third in voting for the award, respectively. Both players have been standouts for Brooklyn’s affiliate in Long Island.
First 6’3” man that looks like one of Snow White’s Seven when photographed.
Pretty cool he was recognized for improving so much
Next time, just leave out the first part. Resist the urge.
No chance bendboy.
Too dominant to let up for you
Overcompensating much? Putting down others is a sure sign.
He’s probably 5’11. These NBA players are at their weakest era ever right now were anyone can play anywhere. The only thing anyone included you reading this is to be able to shoot a 3 and run down a court. Nothing else hahahaha. Weak
Happy for Harkless! That’s a huge jump in productivity!
At 6’3 that should only be a PG or a undersized SG always ready to be a bench guy. These players should know better but they think like Gary….. Huh I don’t understand because I wuv small fast basketball
Perhaps, but at least he’s improving and trying on both ends of the floor. That’s better than a lot of these lazy defenders.
Besides, you don’t have to be a giant to be effective. However, you do have to be elite at one or more skills like scoring, passing, steals, shooting, drawing fouls, etc. Two or more and you’re a starter. All stars have several elite skills.
I love Allen Iverson at SG (6’0) but nobody plays like that. Yes I agree if someone is undersized they should be amazing at an era but usual they are great bench guys. Honestly at 6’3 195 is a perfect PG size. I can only think of maybe 15 undersized players out of all five positions in NBA history in this case. Dwayne Wade was a 6’4 shooting guard but was amazing (not at home. Honestly a SG’s height should be
Y
You are right, it is good he is improving and has his name out there on something. Made me look him up. I wish him the best and hope he can get an opportunity. Maybe a Patrick Beverley clone
My comment got messed up
PG. 6’1+
SG. 6’6*
SF. 6’7+
PF. 6’9+(really 6’10)
C . 6’11*
Those were the old NBA standards usually. The perfect height for position