Dallas Basketball

Mavericks forward named one of the NBA's most improved players

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has been a welcomed addition to the team this season.

Jeremy Brener

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall goes to the basket during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall goes to the basket during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers. / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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The Dallas Mavericks have undergone a lot of change over the past season, and while a lot have been hard to swallow, one has been a pleasant surprise.

Naji Marshall is having the best season of his career in his first year with the Mavs, averaging a career-best 13.4 points per game.

Marshall's success prompted Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes to declare him as one of the most improved players in the league.

READ MORE: Former Lakers champion favorably compares ex-Maverick Luka Doncic to Kobe Bryant

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Marshall making an impact

"This was Marshall's most productive season overall, marked by a career-best 13.4 points per game. But he mostly earns this award for what he did when thrust into a higher-usage role after the All-Star break. His averages of 18.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists during that stretch blow away all of the hottest runs he managed in prior seasons," Hughes writes.

Marshall will have to continue his hot streak as the Mavs soon face the Play-In Tournament to try to clinch the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

READ MORE: Raptors sign former Maverick ahead of matchup in Dallas

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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