Miller Named Most Improved Player

WNBA Chief Operating Officer Paula Hanson presents the Most Improved Player trophy to Miller. Mitchell Layton/ NBAE/ Getty Images

Miller finished the regular season as the Mystics third-leading scorer, averaging 9.3 points to go along with 2.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds per contest. The second-year guard, who never scored more than six points in a game during her rookie campaign, scored 13 points in Washington's season opener against Orlando on June 1 and never looked back.

"This award truly means a lot to me," said Miller. "I would like to thank Marianne [Stanley] for giving me the opportunity to get out there and play, and give me the confidence I needed to play my game."

Miller reached career highs in every statistical category this season. She started all 32 games for the Mystics and logged 28.3 minutes per contest, helping lead Washington to the WNBA Playoffs. Miller was selected by the Mystics in the first round (9th overall) of the 2001 WNBA Draft and averaged 1.7 points and 6.9 minutes in her rookie season.

As the WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year, Miller will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy and $5,000.

The 60-member voting panel consisted of 12 national media representatives, as well as media representatives from each of the league's 16 markets who cover the WNBA regularly.

2002 WNBA MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR RESULTS