Trail Blazers' C.J. McCollum wins NBA's Most Improved Player Award

Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, whose scoring average jumped from 6.8 points per game during the 2014-15 season to 20.8 points this season, was named the NBA's Most Improved Player on Friday.

McCollum, in his third season since being selected with the 10th overall pick of the 2013 draft, received 101 first-place votes and 559 points in balloting among sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Charlotte's Kemba Walker was second with 166 points, while Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo (99) was third.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors received seven first-place votes and was fourth in the voting for the award, which is given to honor an up-and-coming player who has dramatically improved from the previous season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Curry is the first reigning MVP to finish in the top 10 in voting for this award the following season (voting data became available in 1995-96).

In addition to his scoring average, McCollum also set career highs for field goal percentage (44.8), 3-point field goal percentage (41.7), assists (4.3) and rebounds (3.2). He is the third Portland player to have won the award, joining Kevin Duckworth (1987-88) and Zach Randolph (2003-04).

The Blazers finished fifth in the Western Conference after losing four starters last summer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.