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Morant gifts Most Improved Player award to teammate Bane

Justin Ford / Getty Images Sport / Getty

After being named the Most Improved Player of the 2021-22 regular season Monday, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant gifted his new hardware to teammate Desmond Bane, whom he felt deserved it most.

Morant, who earned 38 more points than second-placed Dejounte Murray in the MIP race, left the award on Bane's kitchen table still in its packaging.

Bane, who finished fifth in voting with 74 points, was in disbelief after discovering the surprise gift.

"Man, what he doing? This is his award," he said.

Both Morant and Bane played integral roles in the Grizzlies' emergence as contenders this season. Morant increased his scoring average by 8.3 points over last season (19.1 to 27.4) and earned his first All-Star spot.

Meanwhile, Bane took a massive leap in his second NBA campaign, averaging twice as many steals and more than doubling his points per game.

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