Maine Red Claws guard Kenny Hayes has been named the 2012 NBA Development League Most Improved Player, as voted on by the 16 NBA D-League head coaches. The award honors the player who demonstrated the most significant improvement through the course of the season. 

Hayes, a 6-2, 175-pound guard out of Miami (Ohio), completed his second season with the Red Claws, averaging 17.1 points on .448 shooting to go along with 5.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds. Hayes started Maine’s final 24 games; and recorded 19.3 ppg, 6.8 apg and 4.9 rpg in his last 10 games. 

“Kenny’s season for the Red Claws is evidence that hard work and dedication don’t go unnoticed,” said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League.  “His marked improvement during the course of the year proved that his focus on development really paid off.  I’m proud to congratulate him on being recognized for his efforts by the League’s coaches.”   

Hayes becomes the third player to receive most improved honors, joining Dar Tucker (New Mexico, 2011) and Mildon Ambres (Idaho, 2010) as NBA D-League players to have earned the award.