Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome has taken the NBA by storm with his red-hot start to the 2026-27 season.
The Grizzlies have started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2017, and Jerome is a major reason why. He is currently leading the NBA with 34.7 points per game on 42.9% shooting on 3-pointers and 56.3% overall.
As a result, Jerome is now the favorite to win the NBA's Most Improved award, according to FanDuel's latest odds on Oct. 26. Jerome is currently listed at +390, ranking ahead of Brandon Miller (+800), Dylan Harper (+1000) and Ajay Mitchell (+1300).
Jerome opened preseason with +2000 odds to win the award.
Ja Morant was the last Grizzlies player to win the Most Improved award in 2022.
The Most Improved award isn't the only area where
Jerome has seen movement. His hot start now has put him in the race to receive MVP odds. Jerome is currently at +50000, which is tied for 22nd best in the NBA.
This is Jerome's first season as a full-time starter in the NBA. He started all 15 of his appearances with the Grizzlies last season, but that came while Morant was injured.
Jerome's first true breakout season came in 2024-25 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he was a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
If Jerome continues his strong play, he could be adding some new hardware this season.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies' Ty Jerome surges as favorite for NBA's Most Improved award
