Shanghai center Wang named CBA MVP

BEIJING -- Shanghai Sharks center Wang Zhelin has been named the 2022-23 Chinese Basketball Association regular season Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career, the league announced on Saturday.

Wang received 415 points, including 61 of a possible 147 first-place votes from media representatives to win the league's top individual honor again, after previously doing so in 2018-19.

Wang averaged 21.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 41 matches, scoring a career-high 61 points in Shanghai's last regular season game against the Beijing Royal Fighters on April 5.

"It is recognition and encouragement for my dedication during a period of time, and will definitely drive me forward in the future," Wang wrote on Weibo.

Liaoning Flying Leopards guard Zhao Jiwei and Zhejiang Golden Bulls guard Wu Qian ranked second and third in the vote, with 324 and 194 points respectively.

Wang, Zhao and Wu were also named in the All-CBA Chinese Player First Team along with Liaoning forward Zhang Zhenlin and Shenzhen Aviators forward He Xining.

The All-CBA Chinese Player Second Team includes Guangzhou Loong Lions youngster Cui Yongxi, who was also named Rookie of the Year, Guangdong Southern Tigers veteran center Yi Jianlian, the Most Improved Player award winner Liu Zeyi from the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, Yi's teammate Xu Jie and Zhejiang Lions guard Sun Minghui.

Leading Zhejiang to a league-leading win-loss record of 35-7 in his first year in charge, Wang Shilong was named Coach of the Year.

Jilin Northeast Tigers' versatile forward Dominique Jones, who averaged a triple-double of 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 10.9 assists, won the Best Foreign Player award.

Jones was named in the All-CBA Foreign Player Team with Guangdong guard Marshon Brooks, Shenzhen center Jared Sullinger, the league's scoring leader Antonio Blakeney of the Jiangsu Dragons, and Liaoning guard Kyle Fogg.

Also on Saturday, Shenzhen center Shen Zijie was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Wu Qian won the Sixth Man of Year award.