The poll on who you thought was the most improved player since a year ago to date has been up for awhile now. I decided I would give my take on the subject...
Gary Harris was voted the most improved player. He has improved an awful lot in the past year. I think the biggest improvement has come in his assertiveness. His skill level has increased, but he has been ridiculously skilled for quite some time. He wasn't always the most aggressive with the ball in his hands though. He used to pass up a lot of shots. Now, he is looking to score or make a play every time he touches the ball. That is quite a big improvement.
Josh Gentry came in second in the poll. Gentry was probably unknown by most people at this time a year ago. Luckily, I got to watch his development. He was always a high energy guy that could defend at a high level. This spring/summer he really improved his offensive game. His shooting is still inconsistent but he gets to the rim and finishes above it frequently now. His improvement made him a Division 1 player.
Cody Zeller was the third most improved player according to the poll. Zeller's improvement has been dramatic every year since I started watching him in 8th grade. Each year, his game looks nothing like it did last year. If this pace continues then he will be in the NBA in a couple years. He still has work to do, but he could barely run and chew gum when he was in 8th grade. It has been incredible to watch his development as a player.
R.J. Hunter was a distant fourth most improved player in the poll. Hunter's improvement has come mainly over the spring/summer. He went from a role player on a decent Pike team last year to a guy with offers from Michigan State, Cincinnati, and Oregon State. That is quite a jump.
Hunter gets my vote for the most improved. He used to be purely a 3-point shooter. Now, he puts the ball on the floor a lot more. He is able to finish at the rim and he is a good passer when he gets into the lane. I would vote Gentry as the next most improved. But that is just my 2 cents.