Since the 2022-23 season, the winner of the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award receives the George Mikan Trophy. And to add, the Lakers retired Mikan’s No. 99 jersey in 2022.

Born June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Ill., Mikan didn’t play high school basketball, but when he entered DePaul, Ray Meyer, Mikan’s young new coach at DePaul, recognized the potential. Mr. Meyer said he ...