Shock's Most Improved Player

New York Liberty center Kia Vaughn was named the 2011 WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year, the league announced today. Vaughn received 15 out of 40 votes from a panel of local and national sportswriters and broadcasters, beating out Washington Mystics guard Matee Ajavon (10 points), Tulsa Shock forward Tiffany Jackson (10), Seattle Storm center Ashley Robinson (3), Atlanta Dream guard-forward Armintie Price (1), and .Chicago Sky guard Epiphanny Prince (1).

In her second WNBA season, Vaughn started all 34 games for the Liberty, recording career highs in points (10.1 ppg), rebounds (6.7 rpg), steals (1.2 spg), and assists (1.1 apg). Vaughn also shot career highs from the field (.497) and the free throw line (.786). She posted four points/rebounds double-doubles, and had a 10-game streak of double-digit scoring (June 30-July30). Vaughn led the Liberty in rebounds 12 times and in scoring on three occasions.

Jackson was the Shock's leader both on and off the court this season as her game made an incredible leap from the 2010 to the 2011 season. Jackson led the team in points (12.4), rebounds (8.4) and minutes (33.9) while recording 11 double-doubles this season which ranked her third in the league.

Jackson started 32 of 34 games for the Shock and led the team in scoring 10 times, rebounds 21 times and assists five times. She also finished the season as one of only 12 players in the league who made more than 100 free-throws.

Personally, Jackson set her career-high in scoring twice this season, setting it with 27 points against San Antonio on August 6.

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