Hornets center Moussa Diabate wins NBA’s Hustle Award

NEW YORK (AP/CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabaté was announced Thursday as the NBA’s Hustle Award winner for this season.

Unlike most of the year’s awards, this one was not done by voting. The NBA uses a ranking system that takes nine stats into account — offensive box outs, defensive box outs, screen assists, contested 2-pointers, contested 3-pointers, offensive loose balls recovered, defensive loose balls recovered, deflections and charges taken.

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Diabaté ranked 11th or better among qualifying players league-wide in six of those categories. He also posted career-high numbers in several categories, including points (7.9), rebounds (8.7) and assists (1.9) per game.

Diabate became a fan favorite during the Hornets’ resurgent season for his relentless style of play. When coach Charles Lee inserted him into the starting lineup in late December, Charlotte’s fortunes turned, as the starting five posted the best net rating in the NBA from that point forward.

Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels was second, Golden State’s Draymond Green — last season’s Hustle winner — was third, Memphis’ Cedric Coward was fourth and New York’s Josh Hart was fifth.

This was the 10th season that the award has been handed out.

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