George Mason Star Justin Kier Wins Atlantic 10 Most Improved Player Award

Junior Justin Kier was the only George Mason basketball player to claim an end-of-season Atlantic 10 award or selection. He made up for the lack of variety, however, by being recognized twice; Kier was chosen for All-Atlantic 10 Second Team and also won the Atlantic 10 Most Improved Player award.

Senior Otis Livingston II was notably absent from the awards list, even though he made All-Atlantic 10 Second Team last year and the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team as a freshman. Livingston II averaged 13.1 points and 4.2 assists per game this season.

As for Kier, he had his best collegiate season in 2018–19 and was rightfully honored by the A-10.

Kier improved in nearly every statistical category from 2017–18, most notably scoring (+3.0 points per game), 3-point field goal percentage (.372 over .174), field goal percentage (.469 vs. .451), rebounds per game (+1.9 rebounds per game).

(via A-10)

Below, you can see the entire list of Atlantic 10 awards and selections.

2018–19 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Awards

Player of the Year
Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Davidson

Defensive Player of the Year
Javon Bess, Saint Louis

Rookie of the Year
Obi Toppin, Dayton

Chris Daniels Most Improved Player
Justin Kier, George Mason

Sixth Man of the Year
Tavian Dunn-Martin, Duquesne

Coach of the Year
Mike Rhoades, VCU

All-Conference First Team
Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Davidson
Kellan Grady, Davidson
Obi Toppin, Dayton
Courtney Stockard, St. Bonaventure
Marcus Evans, VCU

All-Conference Second Team
Justin Kier, George Mason
Cyril Langevine, Rhode Island
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Charlie Brown, Jr., Saint Joseph’s
Javon Bess, Saint Louis

All-Conference Third Team
Jalen Crutcher, Dayton
Josh Cunningham, Dayton
Grant Golden, Richmond
Hasahn French, Saint Louis
De’Riante Jenkins, VCU

All-Academic Team
Ryan Mikesell, Dayton
Justin Mazzulla, George Washington
Jeff Dowtin, Rhode Island
Noah Yates, Richmond
Marcus Evans, VCU

All-Defensive Team
Cyril Langevine, Rhode Island
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Osun Osunniyi, St. Bonaventure
Javon Bess, Saint Louis
Hasahn French, Saint Louis

All-Rookie Team
Sincere Carry, Duquesne
Nick Honor, Fordham
Obi Toppin, Dayton
Kyle Lofton, St. Bonaventure
Osun Osunniyi, St. Bonaventure

(via A-10)

Overall, Justin Kier finished in the Top 10 in the conference in defensive rebounds (№4), three-point percentage (№5), steals (№7), and minutes played (№9).