Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 2007-08 NBA Most Valuable Player, the NBA announced today.

The 11-year NBA veteran totaled 1,105 points, including 82 first place votes, from a panel of 126 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Players were awarded 10 points for each first-place vote, seven points for each second-place vote, five for third, three for fourth and one for each fifth-place vote.

As part of its support of the Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Motors will donate a brand-new 2009 Kia Borrego seven-passenger SUV on behalf of Bryant to the East L.A. Boys and Girls Club. Kia Motors presented a Borrego to the charity of choice of each of the four year-end 2007-08 award winners as part of the ?The NBA Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors.?

Rounding out the top five in voting for this season?s award were New Orleans? Chris Paul (889 points), Boston?s Kevin Garnett (670 points), Cleveland?s LeBron James (438 points) and Orlando?s Dwight Howard (60 points).