Pitt sophomore guard Ashton Gibbs was named the Big East's most improved player this afternoon.

Gibbs, a 6-foot-2 guard who earned second-team all-conference honors on Sunday, became the sixth Pitt player in the past 11 years to win the award.

Gibbs joins past winners Richardo Greer (2000), Brandin Knight (2002), Carl Krauser (2004), Aaron Gray (2006) and Sam Young (2008).

Of all the Big East awards, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon says the most improved player award is the most important for his program because it shows that players get better once they enter the program.

Gibbs, from Scotch Plains, N.J., played a small role on last year's team that advanced to the Elite Eight. He averaged 4.3 points and 10.7 minutes per game. But this season he developed into one of the premier players in the conference. Gibbs leads Pitt in scoring (16.2 points per game), is its top 3-point shooter (40.4 percent) and its top free-throw shooter (89 percent).

Several other Pitt players were candidates for other awards that were given out today, but they did not win. Jermaine Dixon was up for defensive player of the year and the sportsmanship award. Gilbert Brown was up for sixth man of the year.

Three more awards will be given out tomorrow: player of the year, coach of the year and rookie of the year. Jamie Dixon is a candidate for coach of the year.

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