Jazz’s Elijah Harkless named NBAGL Most Improved Player

Guard Elijah Harkless, who is on a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, has been named the NBA G League’s Most Improved Player for the 2024-25 season, the NBA announced Thursday.

Harkless earned the award for his time with the San Diego Clippers and Salt Lake City Stars. He’s the first player from the Stars to win NBAGL MIP.

After averaging 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steal in 20 regular season games (22.7 MPG) for San Diego in 2023-24, the 25-year-old improved his counting stats across the board in ’24-25, averaging 26.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.4 APG and 1.3 SPG in 19 regular season appearances, 17 of which came for Salt Lake City (31.4 MPG). He has posted a .447/.419/.745 shooting line during the G League’s regular season.

Harkless, who went undrafted out of UNLV in 2023, was named to the NBAGL’s Up Next event — essentially the G League’s All-Star game — earlier this season. He also had a stint in the Canadian Elite Basketball League with the Saskatchewan Rattlers this past spring.

Known for his defense, Harkless has played 10 games for Utah in what is technically his rookie NBA season. The combo guard, who made his debut in January, has averaged 3.2 PPG, 2.1 RPG and 1.0 SPG in 13.8 MPG during those appearances.

Drew Timme and Tyson Etienne of the Nets finished second and third in voting for the award, respectively. Both players have been standouts for the Nets’ affiliate in Long Island.