Grizzlies' Zach Kleiman is NBA Executive of Year / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports Credit Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman was named the 2021-22 NBA Executive of the Year on Thursday.

Memphis Grizzlies / Schedule

Golden State Warriors Memphis Grizzlies142-112 Golden State Warriors Memphis Grizzlies101-98 Memphis Grizzlies Golden State Warriors134-95 Golden State Warriors Memphis GrizzliesSat02:00

Kleiman, 33, is the youngest recipient of the award, presented annually since 1972-73 and voted on by his peers.

Kleiman, who is also the team's executive vice president of operations, helped to assemble a Memphis roster that finished 56-26 this season. The Grizzlies matched a franchise record for wins and earned their highest seed (No. 2) ever in the Western Conference playoffs.

He received 16 first-place votes and 85 total points. Tied for second with 27 points each were Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman and Chicago Bulls executive VP of operations Arturas Karnisovas.

Kleiman is the second Grizzlies executive to win the honor, joining Jerry West (2003-04).

Memphis routed Golden State 134-95 in Game 5 on Wednesday night but still trails the Warriors 3-2 in the best-of-seven conference semifinal series. Game 6 is Friday night in San Francisco.

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