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2015 Draft Prospect Profile: Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor (Duke | Freshman | Center)

HT: 6'11" | WT: 270 lbs. | Wingspan: 7'5" | 19 years old

2014-15 Stats: 17.3 PPG | 8.7 RPG | 66.4 FG%

Okafor arrived in Durham as the No. 1 recruit in the country, an AP preseason All-American before playing a minute at Cameron Indoor Stadium. He leaves as a National Champion and potential top pick, having justified enormous expectations during one of the most prolific statistical seasons for a big man in recent NCAA memory.

At his peak, the team that drafts Okafor will be hoping for a dominant low-post presence, the type of go-to guy who commands double-teams and consistently beats them. It’s a lofty ceiling, but he fits the profile after scoring 17.4 points a game as the focal point of the 3rd most efficient offense in the country.

BIG Jah

As a freshman, Okafor’s size and enormous hands set him apart from even the most physically-developed NCAA competition. He uses his lower body to carve out space anywhere around the paint and when he turns to score, he punishes defenses with footwork and exceptional touch around the hoop.

Despite seeing extra defenders regularly, he finished the season shooting 66.9 percent from the floor, good for 6th in NCAA. When he seals his man, it’s over.

Knicks Fit

His biggest fans will tell you that Okafor's passing is what really sets him apart as a prospect. After all, with opponents loading up to block his way to the basket, it was Okafor’s ability to trigger offense via the kickout that made Duke so hard to guard.

He’s so comfortable seeing extra defenders that he receives every entry pass as a dual threat to drop step and score or attack with the pass. When the shot isn’t there, he doesn’t force it; he surveys the floor and calmly selects his target. You could envision him anchoring the low post in the Triangle, spotting cutters and posting double-doubles on a nightly basis. 

He can do it all in the post, which is why many consider him the most pro-ready offensive player in the draft. He also pulled down 8.5 rebounds per game – including 4.6 offensive boards per 40 minutes, which is 3rd best in the DraftExpress Top 100 – numbers that tend to translate to the next level.

He won a national title by making life easier for his teammates on both ends of the floor, and has the potential to make a similar impact at the next level, especially as he enters an NBA strength and conditioning program. He even turned some heads as he contributed to Duke’s transformation from below-average to elite defensive team by March.