RealGM 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player Candidates

1. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks, up from #81 to #9

Age: 24

Position: PF

Height: 6-8

Weight: 219

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
72 72 22.5 10.3 7.9 1.2 0.4 48.9% 35.2% 78.8%
All-NBA 3rd, All-Star

2. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets, up from #51 to #13

Age: 29

Position: SG

Height: 6-4

Weight: 215

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
75 75 25.4 4.4 7.1 0.9 0.4 48.3% 43.5% 88.7%
NBA Champion, All-NBA 3rd, All-Rookie 2nd, All-Star

3. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons, up from #50 to #16

Age: 22

Position: PF

Height: 6-10

Weight: 250

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
70 70 19.5 10.5 2.0 0.8 0.8 65.0% 0.0% 74.7%
All-NBA 3rd, All-Rookie 2nd, All-Star

4. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers, up from #60 to #22

Age: 25

Position: SG

Height: 6-8

Weight: 228

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
66 66 24.2 6.9 6.7 0.8 0.6 46.2% 31.8% 80.2%
All-Star

5. Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers, up from #124 to #30

Age: 22

Position: C

Height: 7-2

Weight: 280

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
77 77 12.1 11.6 2.1 0.6 1.7 52.0% 34.1% 68.0%
All-Rookie 2nd

6. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans, up from #80 to #41

Age: 25

Position: G

Height: 6-8

Weight: 206

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
66 66 21.5 5.7 3.8 1.5 0.4 47.0% 37.9% 88.6%

7. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks, up from #209 to #46

Age: 27

Position: SG

Height: 6-5

Weight: 205

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
78 71 20.8 3.4 3.7 1.3 0.5 45.9% 39.9% 90.2%
MIP

8. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs, up from #71 to #51

Age: 21

Position: G

Height: 6-6

Weight: 215

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
68 67 16.7 5.3 7.4 1.1 0.3 47.1% 33.2% 73.4%
ROY, All-Rookie 1st

9. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics, up from #78 to #52

Age: 28

Position: PG

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
79 50 17.0 3.9 5.2 0.7 0.1 46.4% 37.7% 89.0%
NBA Champion, 6MOY

10. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors, up from #128 to #57

Age: 26

Position: PG

Height: 6-2

Weight: 190

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
70 70 16.4 4.0 5.9 1.3 0.1 44.3% 37.4% 82.1%
All-Rookie 2nd

11. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets, up from #135 to #59

Age: 23

Position: F

Height: 6-7

Weight: 200

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
65 65 20.2 4.9 3.3 1.0 0.7 43.5% 38.3% 89.2%
All-Rookie 1st

12. Kel'el Ware, Miami Heat, up from #104 to #61

Age: 21

Position: PF

Height: 7-0

Weight: 230

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
77 34 11.1 9.0 0.7 0.8 1.1 53.0% 39.5% 74.0%
All-Rookie 2nd

13. Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics, up from #264 to #63

Age: 26

Position: C

Height: 7-0

Weight: 248

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
76 75 10.2 8.4 1.7 0.8 1.3 65.3% 12.5% 70.3%
NBA Champion

14. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz, up from #127 to #65

Age: 22

Position: G

Height: 6-4

Weight: 185

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
54 54 23.6 3.7 6.1 1.1 0.3 45.6% 37.1% 89.2%
All-Rookie 2nd

15. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons, up from #133 to #71

Age: 23

Position: G

Height: 6-7

Weight: 205

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
73 72 9.9 5.7 3.1 2.0 0.9 52.5% 25.0% 57.1%
All-NBA Defensive 1st

16. Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets, up from #215 to #75

Age: 24

Position: PF

Height: 6-10

Weight: 210

GP GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
73 47 7.9 8.7 1.9 0.8 1.0 63.1% 50.0% 65.9%
Hustle Award