Maine Red Claws guard Frank Gaines was today named the 2014 NBA Development League Most Improved Player, as voted on by the 17 NBA D-League head coaches. The award, which was instituted prior to the 2009-10 season, honors the player who demonstrated the most significant improvement through the course of the season.
Gaines (6-3, 195, IPFW) finished his rookie campaign in the NBA D-League having played in 48 of the team’s 50 regular season games, averaging a team-high 22.4 points, good for fourth-best in the NBA D-League. He added 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 35.4 minutes.
A 34-game starter, Gaines began his professional career averaging 19.2 points in November, December and January, before finishing the season averaging 25.4 points in February, March and April.
“As a rookie with the Red Claws this season, Frank seized the opportunity to develop all aspects of his game,” said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA D-League. “I’m thrilled that the league’s coaches took note of his marked improvement during the season, and I congratulate Frank on an impressive inaugural campaign.”
Gaines becomes the fifth player, and second member of the Red Claws, to earn Most Improved Player honors, joining Cameron Jones (Santa Cruz, 2012-13), Kenny Hayes (Maine, 2011-12), Dar Tucker (New Mexico, 2010-11), and Mildon Ambres (Idaho, 2009-10) as NBA D-League players to have received the award.
