This is a good article. Click here for more information.

Jahlil Okafor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jahlil Okafor
Jahlil Okafor 2015 Summer League.jpg
Okafor during the 2015 NBA Summer League
Free agent
PositionCenter
Personal information
Born (1995-12-15) December 15, 1995 (age 25)
Fort Smith, Arkansas
NationalityNigerian / American
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High schoolWhitney Young (Chicago, Illinois)
CollegeDuke (2014–2015)
NBA draft2015 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career2015–present
Career history
2015–2017Philadelphia 76ers
2017–2018Brooklyn Nets
2018–2020New Orleans Pelicans
2020–2021Detroit Pistons
Career highlights and awards
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA World U19 Cup
Gold medal – first place 2013 Czech Republic National team
FIBA World U17 Cup
Gold medal – first place 2012 Lithuania National team
FIBA Americas U16 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2011 Mexico National team

Jahlil Obika Okafor (pronounced /ˈdʒɑː liːl/;[1] born December 15, 1995) is a Nigerian-American[2] professional basketball player. He played his freshman season of college for the 2014–15 Duke national championship team. He was selected with the third overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He has previously played in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans and the Detroit Pistons.

Okafor had been heavily recruited before high school and was at the top of the recruiting rankings for several years.[3] He played high school basketball in Chicago, Illinois for Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, where he earned high school national player of the year awards from McDonald's, USA Today and Parade. At the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Cup, he earned the Tournament MVP for the gold medal-winning USA team. In 2013, Okafor led Whitney Young to the 2013 Chicago Public High School League (CPL) city championship. He was an All-American as a junior in 2013. The following summer, he was an All-Tournament team selection at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, for the gold-medal Team USA. Following his senior season, he earned broad All-American recognition and was named national player of the year by Parade, USA Today and McDonald's among other players. He signed with Duke as a package with Tyus Jones, with widespread recognition as the preseason Collegiate National Player of the Year.

At Duke, he earned the USBWA National Freshman of the Year and ACC Player of the Year, and a unanimous 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball All-American first-team selection. In the week following Duke's victory in the championship game of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament against Wisconsin, Okafor announced that he would enter the NBA draft.

Early life and career[]

Okafor was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas.[4][5] His father, Chukwudi, known as Chuck, is a second generation Nigerian American of Igbo descent, and his mother, Dacresha Lanett Benton, was African-American and European-American.[6][7] As a youth, Okafor split time between his mother's home in the town of Moffett, Oklahoma and his father's home in Chicago. When he was 9 years old, his mother contracted bronchitis and died two weeks later from a collapsed lung. Okafor permanently moved in with his father to the South Side of Chicago and then to Rosemont.[8] Okafor attended Rosemont Elementary.[9] The adjustment was difficult because he was shy and so tall that other students thought he was put in the class for having failed.[7] In November 2008, during seventh grade he matched his father's height of 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m).[10] Later the family moved to Chicago's North Side so that Okafor could attend Whitney Young High School.[8]

As a 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) eighth-grader, Okafor was recruited by DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball in violation of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recruiting rules when DePaul Athletic Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto made public comments about an offer.[11] Initially, interim coach Tracy Webster, made an oral offer on January 30 outside the DePaul locker room at Allstate Arena.[9] The offer was noted online by ESPNChicago.com and picked up by the press, leading to the problematic statements by Ponsetto.[9][12] In February 2010, Ponsetto confirmed a statement:

This is a young guy we've been talking with for a long time, and who has been to games and we have a relationship with because his uncle works for the Rosemont Police Department...I think it's a prospect who has grown up around DePaul basketball. I think he's probably a fan and someone who has been a fan for some time, since we have played in Rosemont for the last 30 years.[10]

High School[]

Freshman and sophomore seasons[]

Okafor and Whitney Young teammate Paul White were regarded as the best incoming freshmen in the Chicago metropolitan area, according to the Chicago Sun-Times's Joe Henricksen.[13] They joined a team with six returning seniors that had finished as state runners up the prior year.[14] Along with 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) sophomore Thomas Hamilton Jr. and White, Okafor was part of a trio of Whitney Young players ranked in the top 10 of their respective national classes by ESPNU.[14] Entering the season, Whitney Young was considered to resemble a college team due to its size and athleticism.[15] That year, Okafor feels he was not one of the "key players" on the team, but attending tournaments with elite players such as Austin Rivers and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist inspired him to be one.[16]

Following his freshman season, Okafor was regarded as the second best college basketball prospect in the Chicago area behind Jabari Parker.[17] The scouting report on him was that he possessed an improved midrange jump shot, nimble feet, soft hands and physical skills at 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 m) that made him a mismatch against almost any high school competitor.[18] Prior to his sophomore season Dave Spahn of SLAM Magazine described Okafor as a player with the footwork and ambidexterity to dominate his opponents, placing him in the conversation for the role of best player in the national class of 2014.[19] In August 2011, ESPN ranked him as the third best player in the class of 2014.[20]

Okafor and White were featured in Ball So Hard, the first documentary short by Life + Times.[21]

On December 22, in front of an audience that included John Calipari, Rick Pitino, Derrick Rose and Anthony Davis at the UIC Pavilion, Okafor had 20 points (10 in the fourth quarter), 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots against cross-town rival Simeon and its star Parker in a 62–55 loss.[22]

Following the season, the Chicago Sun-Times named him to the Class 4A All-State first team along with Parker, Keith Carter, Darius Paul and Fred VanVleet.[23] The Chicago Tribune named him to its second team All-State team.[24] The Associated Press named him to its Class 4A second team.[25] He was also selected by the Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association to its 25-man boy's All-City team.[26] The Chicago Sun-Times named him to its All-Public League second team as well as its All-area 20-man team.[27][28] By the end of his sophomore season, he started appearing on ballots from ESPN HS's 10-person panel for the Mr. Basketball USA award as the best high school basketball player in the country.[29] He was one of twenty sophomores chosen as Underclass All-Americans by ESPN HS.[30]

Junior season[]

test
Okafor jumping for a rebound against Simeon Career Academy on January 26, 2013

In June 2012, Sports Illustrated named him one of their "Future Game Changers", a group of fourteen young athletes who are considered to be the brightest talents of their respective sport (such as Sarah Hendrickson, Jabrill Peppers, and Taylor Townsend).[31] On September 19, Calipari offered Okafor a scholarship to play for Kentucky,[32] joining Ohio State, Michigan State, Louisville, Illinois, Duke, North Carolina, Florida and Arizona as programs that have offered Okafor.[33]

Okafor was one of 10 USA Today preseason All-USA selections (along with Aaron Gordon, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Kasey Hill, Jones, Parker, Julius Randle, Noah Vonleh, Andrew Wiggins).[34] Okafor was named as one of the top 5 Illinois Mr. Basketball contenders (along with Parker, Kendrick Nunn, Sterling Brown and Malcolm Hill) prior to the season by the Chicago Tribune's Mike Helfgot.[35] Whitney Young was the number eight ranked team in the MaxPreps.com national preseason poll.[36] Young entered the season ranked fourteenth in the nation according to ESPN.[37]

On December 20 Okafor and Young lost in overtime to Dakari Johnson's ESPN #1-ranked Montverde Academy. Young was ranked #9 at the time.[38] On January 19, Okafor led Young to an 85–52 victory over Long Beach Polytechnic High School at the Hoophall Classic with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.[39] The victory gave Young a 7–1 record against nationally ranked teams for the year, moving Young to #2 in the USA Today rankings as they prepared for the January 26 crosstown showdown against Simeon and Parker.[40]

In the Chicago Public High School League playoffs February 15 finals contest against Morgan Park High School Okafor tallied 19 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocked shots, including a game-saving block against Billy Garrett, Jr., in a 60–56 overtime Public League Championship game victory over Morgan Park.[41]

Okafor was recognized as a 2013 All-Public League first team selection by the Chicago Sun-Times along with Nunn, Parker, Alexander and Billy Garrett, Jr.[42] On February 28, he was named the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year.[43] On March 25, Okafor finished as runner-up in the Illinois Mr. Basketball voting to Parker by a 315–277-point margin, including a 43–40 first place vote margin.[44][45] On April 17, he was a first team All-USA selection by USA Today along with Wiggins, Aaron Harrison, Randle and Parker.[46] Following the demise of ESPN HS, HighSchoolHardwood.com undertook several honoraria selections. Although MaxPreps.com did not select him as a first team All-American,[47] they did select him as a Junior All-American along with Stanley Johnson, Joel Berry, Jones, and Emmanuel Mudiay.[48]

Senior season[]

Okafor dunking during the 2014 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

Following his time with Team USA, Okafor participated in the Nike Pro-Am Chi-League,[49] the All-Peach Jam,[50] and the Adidas Nations event.[51] He made his verbal commitment on ESPNU to Duke basketball on November 15, jointly with Tyus Jones.[52] Prior to his senior season, USA Today named him to its 10-man preseason All-USA team along with Alexander, Stanley Johnson, Jones, Trey Lyles, Mudiay, Malik Newman, Kelly Oubre, D'Angelo Russell, and Myles Turner.[53] On November 21, Winslow committed to Duke, giving them the number one recruiting class in the nation with Jones, Okafor, Winslow and Grayson Allen all committed.[54] Okafor was joined on the Chicago Tribune's preseason Illinois Mr. Basketball top 5 by Alexander, Jalen Brunson, Tyler Ulis and Keita Bates-Diop.[55]

Okafor dominated the December 27–30, Les Schwab Invitational hosted by Liberty High School by leading the tournament in scoring (31) and rebounding (12.5) and finished 2013 atop the three major recruiting databases (ESPN, Rivals and Scout).[56] Young went 2–2 in the tournament, losing to Rainier Beach High School[57] as well as losing to Oregon's defending Class 6A state champions West Linn High School.[58] On January 4 at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, West Virginia, Okafor earned the tournament MVP based on a 24-point 9-rebound performance against Mudiay's Prime Prep Academy.[59]

Okafor and Young reached an anticipated city championship matchup with Curie and Alexander at the Jones Convocation Center. Okafor had 16 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks.[60] Curie won the city championship 69–66 in quadruple overtime as Okafor had 16 points before fouling out with 2:13 remaining in regulation.[61] The CPL Championship game was attended by Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel and was the lead story on the late edition of SportsCenter.[62]

On March 14, Okafor posted 35 points and 13 rebounds in a 75–66 victory over St. Rita of Cascia High School (who featured Kentucky-bound Charles Matthews), earning Young its first sectional title since 2009 and leaving them one victory away from the final four.[63] On March 18, Okafor led Young to a 58–32 victory over Loyola Academy with 12 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks.[64] On March 21 Okafor's 33 points and 14 rebounds enabled Young to overcome a record setting 56-point performance by Brunson with a 75–68 victory over Stevenson High School.[65] On March 22, Okafor and Young won the IHSA Class 4A state championship by defeating Benet Academy 46–44. Okafor only produced 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists as he battled Xavier-bound Sean O'Mara.[66]

Okafor dunking in postseason play
(left) The 2014 IHSA championship game; (right) dunk for a 103–102 west lead with fewer than 40 seconds left in the 105–102 2014 McDonald's Game victory.

Okafor earned co-MVP (with Justin Jackson) of the April 2, 2014, McDonald's All-American Game after posting 17 points and 7 rebounds, including the go ahead dunk with fewer than 40 seconds remaining,[67] for the winning west team in a 105–102 victory.[68] On April 12, he posted a 14-point 10-rebound double-double in an 84–73 Team USA Nike Hoops Summit victory over the world team.[69] On April 18 in the Jordan Brand Classic, he earned co-MVP with (Alexander) by posting 29 points and 9 rebounds.[70][71]

Okafor was selected to the 10-man Team USA for the 17th annual Nike Hoop Summit on April 12, 2014, at the Moda Center. He was also selected to the 24-player 37th annual April 2, 2014 McDonald's All-American Boys Game at the United Center. He was recognized as first team All-City along with teammate White, Alexander, Louis Adams, Jr. of Orr, and Luwane Pipkins of Bogan High School by the Chicago Sun-Times.[72] On February 18, he became one of three finalists for the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award along with Alexander and Stanley Johnson.[73]

He was selected as the 2014 National Player of the Year from among the 20 Parade All-Americans.[74] He was also recognized by the McDonald's All-American Game organization as its 2014 Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year.[75] USA Today recognized Okafor as its national player of the year when naming its All-USA Boys Basketball Team along with Alexander, Oubre, Mudiay, and Stanley Johnson.[76] Okafor beat Alexander in the Illinois Mr. Basketball voting by a 492–402 vote.[77] He earned first team All-American recognition from MaxPreps on April 13.[78] Okafor was named the 2013–14 Chicago Tribune/WGN Ch. 9 Athlete of the Year.[79]

Rankings[]

Okafor's last Chicago Public High School League basket, which was against Cliff Alexander in the 2014 championship game.

In 2011, center Dakari Johnson was named National Freshman of the Year by ESPN HS.[80] In the following months, Okafor beat out Johnson for a spot on the 2011 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship Team USA.[81] Okafor spent his sophomore season ranked as the number one center and second best player in the national class of 2014 by SLAM Magazine behind Andrew Wiggins, according to SLAM's Franklyn Calle.[82][83][84] In January 2012 during his sophomore season, he was ranked third in the class by ESPNU.[85][86] By April, he was ranked second.[87] By the end of his second year, there was talk that with Jabari Parker Chicago might produce the number one high school player in the country in back to back years, something that they had come close to with Mark Aguirre and Isiah Thomas in the late 1970s.[88] Also in the 1981 NBA draft Aguirre and Thomas were selected first and second, respectively.[89] On October 25, 2012, Andrew Wiggins reclassified into the class of 2013,[90] which cleared the way for Okafor to assume the number one ranking in the Rivals.com ranking for the class of 2014.[91] As of November 2012, he was listed number one in the national class of 2014 by Rivals.com and number two by ESPN.[92] He remained number one according to Rivals with its March 14, 2013 rankings update, following his junior season.[93]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jahlil Okafor
C 		Chicago Whitney Young (IL) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 267.5 lb (121.3 kg) Nov 15, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 1, 1 (C)   Rivals: 1, 1 (C)  ESPN: 1, 1 (IL), 1 (C)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Duke 2014 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  • "2014 Duke Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 29, 2013.

College career[]

Okafor played one season of college basketball for Duke. He was selected as Preseason Player of the Year by CBSSports.com,[94] NBCSports.com,[95] SB Nation,[96] and ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla.[97] Okafor was a Preseason All-American first team selection by USA Today,[98] CBSSports.com,[99] NBCSports.com,[95] Athlon Sports,[100] Bleacher Report,[101] Sporting News,[102] SB Nation,[96] Sports Illustrated,[103] and the Associated Press.[104] In its preseason top 100 player ranking, Okafor was listed at number 3 by ESPN.[105] For the 2014–15 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, the conference media selected him as the ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year and as a Preseason All-ACC Team selection. He finished second in the conference Preseason Player of the Year voting to Marcus Paige.[106] He was also listed as a John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 candidate.[107] He was also named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy and Wayman Tisdale Award Watch Lists.[108]

Okafor opened the season as ACC Freshman of the Week on November 17.[109] In his first three games he shot 25-for-30 on his field goal attempts.[110] He was again named ACC Freshman of the Week on November 24 and December 1.[111] He had his first two 20-point performances in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic with 24 points against Furman on November 26 and 21 against Army on November 30.[112] On December 15 with a 25-point and 20-rebound performance against Elon, Okafor became the first Duke freshman to record 20 rebounds in a game and the second ACC freshman to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game, joining Joe Smith.[113] The performance earned Okafor his fourth ACC Rookie of the Week Award and first Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week recognitions.[114] He then scored a season-high 28 points against Boston College on January 3,[115] earning his fifth ACC Rookie of the Week, first ACC Player of the Week, and second Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week recognition the following day.[116] He was again ACC Rookie of the Week on January 12 and 19.[117] He was named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list on January 14.[118] After sitting out a game due to an ankle injury, Okafor posted a career-high 30 points in an overtime win against Virginia Tech on February 25.[119]

Following the season, Okafor was named Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year by both the ACC coaches and media and ACC Freshman of the year. He was the first freshman to win ACC Player of the Year.[120] He was also a first team All-ACC selection and among the first trio to be selected to the All-ACC Freshman first team (along with Jones and Winslow).[121] He was named USBWA National Freshman of the Year and the 2015 USBWA Freshman All-America Team by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).[122] Okafor was a unanimous 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball All-American first-team selection by The Sporting News,[123] USBWA,[124] National Association of Basketball Coaches,[125] and Associated Press.[126] He contributed to a national championship with 10 points, including 2 key baskets in the final minutes,[127] in the championship game of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, despite spending much of the game in foul trouble while defending Frank Kaminsky of Wisconsin.[128] Okafor finished as runner-up to Kaminsky in the John R. Wooden Award voting (3385–3060).[129] On April 9, Okafor declared for the 2015 NBA draft.[130]

Professional career[]

Philadelphia 76ers (2015–2017)[]

2015–16 season[]

Okafor with the 76ers in 2016.

On June 25, 2015, Okafor was selected with the third overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.[131] After debuting with a 20-point NBA Summer League performance on July 6, Okafor signed a two-year contract with the 76ers on July 7, with team options for two additional seasons.[132][133] He debuted for the 76ers with a 26-point, 7-rebound, 2-block effort (that also included 8 turnovers) against the Boston Celtics on October 28.[134][135][136] The young 2015–16 76ers team played no players over the age of 24 or with more than three years of NBA experience on opening night.[135] On November 9, he posted his first career double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds against his hometown Chicago Bulls.[137] In the subsequent game on November 11, Okafor posted 4 blocked shots along with 21 points and 7 rebounds against the Toronto Raptors.[138][139]

After the 76ers got off to an 0–16 start to the season, Okafor was involved in a street fight with taunting individuals on November 25 in Boston.[140] On November 30, with additional reports surfacing that Okafor had been involved in various controversial and dangerous off-the-court situations, the 76ers agreed to a request to assign a security guard to accompany Okafor in public.[141] On December 1, Okafor and the 76ers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103–91. The win ended the longest losing streak in the history of major professional sports in the United States (28 games going back to the prior season) and the worst start in NBA history (tied with the 2009–10 New Jersey Nets at 0–18).[142] The next day, video surfaced on TMZ of a second fight in Boston from November.[143] Okafor was subsequently suspended by the 76ers for two games.[144] He returned from suspension against the San Antonio Spurs on December 7, recording 10 points and 4 rebounds off the bench in a 119–68 defeat.[145] On January 16, 2016, he recorded 25 points and 10 rebounds in a 114–89 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, helping the 76ers snap a four-game losing streak and improving their record to 5–37.[146] On January 27, 2016, he was named to the 2016 NBA All-Star Game weekend Rising Stars Challenge lineup.[147]

In February, the 76ers had Okafor and Nerlens Noel swap positions as Okafor moved from center to power forward. On February 6, he recorded 22 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 103–98 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[148][149] The position swap was considered an improvement over the two players splitting time or having Noel play out of his natural position.[150] On February 21 against the Dallas Mavericks, Okafor posted a career-high 31 points in a 129–103 loss, surpassing not only his NBA career high, but also his 30-point game at Duke.[151] On February 28, Okafor posted 26 points against the Orlando Magic,[152] but he endured a shin contusion in a collision with teammate Isaiah Canaan that was only expected to sideline him for a game.[153][154] As he missed his fifth consecutive game, 76ers head coach Brett Brown noted that Okafor had a CT scan on his knee.[155] On March 11, Okafor was ruled out for the rest of the season after tests revealed that he had sustained a small tear of the meniscus in his right knee.[156]

Okafor finished fifth in the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year Award voting[157] and earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.[158]

2016–17 season[]

After the first week of the 2016–17 NBA season, the 76ers exercised the third-year team option on Okafor's rookie scale contract.[159] Okafor began the season on a 16-minute cap to be played over "smaller segments" and restriction from back-to-back game participation following the re-aggravation of his meniscus injury.[160] His cap was soon raised to 24 minutes.[161] He was cleared to play unrestricted prior to the November 21 contest against the Miami Heat.[162] On January 14, 2017, Okafor, who hadn't played in the 76ers' previous three games, had a then season-high 26 points in a 109–93 loss to the Washington Wizards.[163] He was selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge event during All-Star weekend.[164] On February 25, 2017, he had a season-high 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 110–109 loss to the New York Knicks.[165] On March 31, 2017, after missing the previous four games, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with right knee soreness.[166][167]

2017–18 season[]

On November 1, 2017, Okafor revealed that he would welcome a trade or buyout from the 76ers, after the team decided to not pick up the fourth-year, $6.3 million option on Okafor's rookie deal, after having tried to trade him for some time.[168][169] Once the 76ers decided not to pick up Okafor's option, it gave him the right to be a free agent following the season. Furthermore, the team decided to build around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons as Okafor saw time in only two games in the first 5 weeks of the season. The 76ers were unable to reach a satisfactory trade with another team for the soon-to-be free agent, despite the team's asking price dropping further and further down,[170] leaving Okafor in a frustrating position of suddenly being benched for the season, since the 76ers would not buy him out and release him.[171][172]

It was later revealed that Okafor, along with several others associated with the 76ers, had been the subject of a disinformation campaign by the wife of then-General Manager Bryan Colangelo, using confidential information from the GM to denigrate Okafor and excuse the team's unwillingness to trade him.[173][174]

Brooklyn Nets (2017–2018)[]

On December 7, 2017, Okafor was traded, along with Nik Stauskas and a 2019 second round draft pick, to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Trevor Booker.[175] In his debut for the Nets on December 15, 2017 (his 22nd birthday), Okafor had 10 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes in a 120–87 loss to the Toronto Raptors. He had played just 25 minutes all season for the 76ers.[176] Following his debut, the Nets decided to get him back into playing shape before putting him in games again.[177] His next game came on January 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he scored two points in 11 minutes.[177] Three days later, he had 12 points in 13 minutes in an 87–85 loss to the Boston Celtics.[178] On January 27, he scored a team-high 21 points in a 111–97 loss to the Timberwolves.[179] Following the season, he became an unrestricted free agent.[180]

New Orleans Pelicans (2018–2020)[]

2018–19 season[]

On August 9, 2018, Okafor signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.[181] On December 19, he posted a season-high 17 points in 13 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks.[182] On January 19, the Pelicans announced that Anthony Davis endured an index finger sprain that would sideline him 1–2 weeks.[183] With the increased playing time Okafor set sequential season-high totals in a January 21 105–85 win over the Memphis Grizzlies (season-high 20 points and season-high-tying 10 rebounds),[184] a January 26 126–114 loss to the San Antonio Spurs (24 points and 15 rebounds),[185] and a January 29 121–116 win over the Houston Rockets (27 points) with 12 rebounds.[186] On January 23, he posted a career-high 6 blocks against the Detroit Pistons.[187] On the last game of the Pelicans' season, Okafor scored 30 points against the Golden State Warriors.[188]

2019–20 season[]

On June 20, 2019, Okafor's team option was picked up by the Pelicans.[189] On October 31, he scored 26 points in a 122–107 win against the Denver Nuggets.[190] On January 13, 2020, he had 25 points and 14 rebounds in a 117–110 overtime win against the Pistons.[191] On January 28, Okafor announced that he would change his number from 8 to honor Kobe Bryant.[192][193] He would wear the number 9 for the rest of the season.[194]

Detroit Pistons (2020–2021)[]

On December 1, 2020, Okafor signed with the Detroit Pistons.[195]

On September 4, 2021, Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for DeAndre Jordan.[196] On September 9, the Nets waived Okafor.[197]

On September 22, 2021, Okafor signed with the Atlanta Hawks.[198] However, he was waived on October 11.[199][200]

Career statistics[]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA[]

Regular season[]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Philadelphia 53 48 30.0 .508 .167 .686 7.0 1.2 .4 1.2 17.5
2016–17 Philadelphia 50 33 22.7 .514 — .671 4.8 1.2 .4 1.0 11.8
2017–18 Philadelphia 2 0 12.5 .444 — .500 4.5 .5 .0 1.0 5.0
2017–18 Brooklyn 26 0 12.6 .566 .250 .760 2.9 .4 .1 .6 6.4
2018–19 New Orleans 59 24 15.8 .586 .200 .663 4.7 .7 .3 .7 8.2
2019–20 New Orleans 30 9 15.6 .623 .333 .645 4.2 1.2 .2 .7 8.1
2020–21 Detroit 27 2 12.9 .618 .222 .708 2.4 .5 .2 .2 5.4
Career 247 116 19.5 .542 .222 .676 4.7 .9 .3 .8 10.4

College[]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Duke 32 32 30.1 .664 — .510 8.5 1.3 .8 1.4 17.3

National team career[]

US national team[]

In October 2010, he successfully tried out for USA Basketball's 2011–12 USA Developmental National Team.[201] In June 2011,[201] he qualified for the 12-man United States team at the 2011 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship along with Simeon rivals Parker and Nunn.[202] In the gold medal game, Okafor made all of his field goal attempts posting 18 points and 14 rebounds.[203] For the tournament, his 46 rebounds over 5 games ranked him second on the United States team (to Aaron Gordon) and third at the Championships in rebounding.[204]

He was a member of USA Basketball's 12-man Team USA at the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Cup with Parker and Nunn again.[205] His listed height was 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m).[206] At a two-game four-team preliminary exhibition tournament in Las Palmas, Canary Islands the week before the championship began, he was named tournament MVP.[207] He was also named the MVP of the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Cup, for the gold medal-winning United States team.[208][209] Okafor posted 17 points and 8 rebounds in the gold medal game.[210] Over the course of the tournament, he was the second-leading scorer, with 13.6 points per game, and second-leading rebounder for the United States, with 8.2 rebounds per game.[211]

On May 21, 2013, USA Basketball announced the roster of 24 players, including Okafor, who had accepted invitations to the June 14–19, 2013, USA Basketball Men's U19 World Cup team training camp. The camp was used to select the 12-man team for the June 27 – July 7, 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Czech Republic.[212] Okafor made the final roster that was announced on June 18.[213][214] The team won the gold medal, and Okafor made the All-Tournament team, along with teammate and tournament MVP Gordon.[215] He led the tournament with 77% field goal percentage,[216] and he was the only player on the All-Tournament Team who would return to high school.[75] However, coaches Billy Donovan and Shaka Smart told him his weak link was his conditioning.[217]

Nigeria national team[]

On 23 February 2020, Jahlil Okafor told ESPN's Marc J. Spears that he would represent the Nigeria national basketball team at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[218][219] He averaged 9 points over three games in the group stage.[220]

Personal life[]

Okafor (center) at his November 15, 2013 verbal commitment press conference with his father Chukwudi and aunt Chinyere Okafor-Conley. Jahlil and Chukwudi are wearing Duke University baseball caps to signify his commitment.

His mother, Dacresha Lanett Benton,[7] died when he was 9 years old, leaving him to be raised by his father Chukwudi and aunt Chinyere Okafor-Conley,[9] whom he refers to as his "auntie mom."[221] His father's full name is Chukwudi Obika Okafor.[222] His parents met in Fort Smith, Arkansas when Chuck played basketball for a local junior college.[221] "My deepest fear is losing someone else close to me," Jahlil told Chicago magazine. "That's something I think about way more than I should."[221]

He has an older sister, Jalen,[7] and two younger brothers named Jamonte and Ashondre.[222] His father has five Chicago-area siblings.[8] His uncle works for the police department in Rosemont, Illinois.[10] His father, who is known as Chuck Okafor, is 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m)[10] and played power forward for Westark Community College, West Texas A&M University and Carl Albert State College.[8][221] His parents had basketball scholarships at Carl Albert State College at the same time.[221] Chuck had been an All-City High School basketball player for Bowen High School.[221] His mother also played college basketball.[7]

Okafor plays chess and the saxophone as well as the tuba.[9][223] In junior high, he participated in the stage crew for a musical.[221] He is a distant cousin of fellow NBA player Emeka Okafor.[9][224][225] He is of Nigerian descent through his paternal grandfather who moved to the U.S. from Nigeria at the age of 20. Okafor traveled to Nigeria when he was in seventh grade.[226]

Okafor has been practicing hot yoga since the 2016–17 season.[227] He used to be a vegan so that he could prevent his knees from swelling, but he changed his diet when he realized that there was a deficiency in his iron.[227] Okafor has his own chef to make sure that he gets a sufficient amount of protein in his diet.[227] After going to a sleep lab during the 2019 offseason, Okafor was diagnosed with sleep apnea and now uses a CPAP machine, which has improved his quality of sleep.[188]

References[]

  1. ^ Jordan, Jason. "Okafor mystified by mispronunciations: Top junior Jahlil Okafor says most coaches recruiting him pronounce his name wrong". USA TODAY High School Sports. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013.
  2. ^ "Jahlil Okafor commits to Nigeria for Olympic basketball". February 24, 2020.
  3. ^ Grimala, Mike (June 18, 2012). "Okafor taking recruiting cues from Parker". ESPN HS. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  4. ^ https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u17/2018/alltimemedalists
  5. ^ https://www.nba.com/players/jahlil/okafor/1626143
  6. ^ Longman, Jere (March 26, 2003). "2003 N.C.A.A. TOURNAMENT: TRUE STUDENT ATHLETE; Academics, And a Game To Back It Up". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e Spring, Joe (February 17, 2013). "17-Year-Old Takes All the Attention in Stride". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d Strauss, Ben (December 20, 2012). "Jahlil Okafor: Chicago's Next, Best Basketball Player In The Country". ChicagoSideSports.com. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Haugh, David (February 21, 2010). "DePaul's young recruit causes stir: Opens up discussion on colleges approaching 8th-graders". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d Powers, Scott (February 15, 2010). "DePaul offers 8th-grader scholarship". ESPN. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  11. ^ Norlander, Matt (February 14, 2010). "DePaul offers eighth-grader a scholly, commits violation while doing so". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  12. ^ McCarthy, Jack (February 12, 2010). "DePaul offers basketball scholarship to 8th-grader: Jahlil Okafor, 14, reportedly has received a scholarship offer from DePaul basketball coach Tracy Webster". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  13. ^ Henricksen, Joe (October 3, 2010). "Offers + talent = hype for Class of 2014". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  14. ^ a b Narang, Bob (November 23, 2010). "Boys basketball preview – Young ready to put on talent show". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  15. ^ Henricksen, Joe (October 6, 2010). "A little Flash returns; Parker to Illini's MM". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  16. ^ Okafor, Jahlil (December 2012). "Top junior center Jahlil Okafor blogs about City of Palms, Parker announcement". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  17. ^ Henricksen, Joe (April 13, 2011). "Hoops Report's player power rankings". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  18. ^ Henricksen, Joe (June 6, 2011). "Okafor dominates at R-B; player movement stirring". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  19. ^ Spahn, Dave (October 8, 2011). "Ready to Rumble: A look at the top teams in the Windy City". SLAM Magazine. Archived from the original on August 9, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  20. ^ Henricksen, Joe (August 19, 2011). "Don't go forgetting about Paul White". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  21. ^ Phillips, Aron (December 27, 2011). "Life + Times Presents Ball So Hard". Dime Magazine. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  22. ^ Helfgot, Mike (December 22, 2011). "Boys Basketball – Nunn helps No. 1 Simeon hang on against Young". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  23. ^ O'Brien, Michael (March 14, 2012). "Boys Basketball: Class 3A/4A All-State teams loaded with talent". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  24. ^ Helfgot, Mike (March 31, 2012). "Boys basketball – Chicago Tribune All-State second team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  25. ^ "Boys basketball – Associated Press 4A, 3A All-State teams announced". Chicago Tribune. March 14, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  26. ^ "Basketball – 2011–12 All-City teams announced". Chicago Tribune. March 1, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  27. ^ Travis, Clyde (February 2, 2012). "Boys Basketball: Sun-Times All-Public League teams". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  28. ^ "Boys Basketball: Sun-Times All-Area team". Chicago Sun-Times. May 12, 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  29. ^ Flores, Ronnie (April 6, 2012). "Final Mr. Basketball USA Tracker: Shabazz Muhammad, Jabari Parker only two candidates to appear on every ballot". ESPN HS. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  30. ^ Flores, Ronnie (May 4, 2012). "Wiggins, Jones among best underclassmen". ESPN HS. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  31. ^ Baumgaertner, Gabriel, Kevin Fixler, Erin Weaver and Macklin Woodruff (July 5, 2012). "Future Game Changers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 20, 2012.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ Okafor, Jahlil (October 8, 2012). "Top junior center Jahlil Okafor blogs about recruitment, Jabari Parker and "Pretty Little Liars"". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  33. ^ Jones, Steve (September 21, 2012). "Jahlil Okafor's dad discusses new Kentucky offer". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  34. ^ Halley, Jim; Jason Jordan (November 6, 2012). "Preseason American Family Insurance ALL-USA Team: 10 high school hoops players to watch". USA Today. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  35. ^ Helfgot, Mike (November 21, 2012). "Boys basketball – Top 5 Mr. Basketball candidates". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  36. ^ Hickman, Jason (November 10, 2012). "MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 8 Whitney Young: Top-ranked 2014 prospect Jahlil Okafor expected to help Dolphins make big jump this winter". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  37. ^ Powers, Scott (November 25, 2012). "ESPN 25 Power Rankings: Week: 1". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  38. ^ Toohey, Ryan (December 21, 2012). "City of Palms prep basketball: Montverde clips Chicago Whitney Young in OT". Naples News. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  39. ^ Borzello, Jeff (January 19, 2013). "Notebook: Jahlil Okafor stakes claim for No. 1 ranking". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  40. ^ Helfgot, Mike (January 25, 2013). "Boys hoops – No. 1 Young, White looking out for No. 2 Simeon". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  41. ^ Helfgot, Mike (February 15, 2013). "Boys hoops – CPS final: Okafor, Young top Morgan Park in OT". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  42. ^ Travis, Clyde (February 12, 2013). "Simeon's Jabari Parker heads the 2013 Sun-Times All-Public League team". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  43. ^ O'Brien, Michael (February 28, 2013). "Young basketball's Jahlil Okafor earns Sun-Times Player of the Year". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  44. ^ "Mount Carmel's Buss, Simeon's Parker win Ms., Mr. Basketball". Chicago Tribune. March 25, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  45. ^ Powers, Scott (March 25, 2013). "Jabari Parker repeats as Mr. Basketball". ESPN. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  46. ^ "2013 All-USA Boys Basketball Team". USA Today. April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  47. ^ Hickman, Jason (April 11, 2013). "MaxPreps 2013 Boys Basketball All-American Team". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  48. ^ Hickman, Jason (April 16, 2013). "MaxPreps 2012–13 Boys Basketball Junior All-American Team". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  49. ^ McGavin, Patrick Z. (June 15, 2013). "Davis, Pippen among those at Young H.S. for debut of new pro-am basketball league". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  50. ^ "All-Peach Jam Teams". EYBL basketball coverage – D1 Circuit / Sport Ngin. July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  51. ^ Woodburn, Peter (August 5, 2013). "Adidas Nations 2013 results: Trey Lyles leads Team USA Blue to championship". SB Nation. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  52. ^ Finkelstein, Adam (November 15, 2013). "Duke lands Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones". ESPN. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  53. ^ Halley, Jim; Jason Jordan (November 20, 2013). "2013 Preseason American Family Insurance ALL-USA Boys Basketball Team". USA Today. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  54. ^ Finkelstein, Adam (November 21, 2013). "Justise Winslow commits to Duke". ESPN. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  55. ^ Helfgot, Mike (November 27, 2013). "Boys hoops – Top 5 Mr. Basketball candidates". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  56. ^ Christopher, Pete (December 31, 2013). "Whitney Young star center Jahlil Okafor dominates at Les Schwab Invitational (video)". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  57. ^ Daschel, Nick (December 29, 2013). "Rainier Beach shines down the stretch, defeats Whitney Young and Jahlil Okafor 89–82 (Les Schwab Invitational game recap)". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  58. ^ Daschel, Nick (December 30, 2013). "Payton Pritchard's magical bounce gives West Linn an upset over Jahlil Okafor-led Whitney Young (Les Schwab Invitational game recap)". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  59. ^ Morrison, Dave (January 5, 2014). "CRC: Whitney Young Rallies". The Intelligencer. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  60. ^ Helfgot, Mike (February 19, 2014). "Boys hoops – Young rallies to clip Orr". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  61. ^ Helfgot, Mike (February 21, 2014). "Boys hoops – Public League final: Kamar Marshall's 3 gives Curie win in 4 OTs". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  62. ^ Johnson, Chris (February 22, 2014). "Jahlil Okafor, Cliff Alexander give Duke, Kansas fans early excitement for next year". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  63. ^ Helfgot, Mike (March 14, 2014). "Jahlil Okafor, Young too much for St. Rita". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  64. ^ Helfgot, Mike (March 18, 2014). "Size, shooting help Young dismantle Loyola". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  65. ^ Helfgot, Mike (March 21, 2014). "Stevenson's Brunson gets record, but Young, Okafor get victory". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  66. ^ Helfgot, Mike (March 22, 2014). "Young holds off Benet for 4A title". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  67. ^ Johnson, Chris (April 4, 2014). "2014 McDonald's All-American game: Okafor, Jackson take home MVP honors". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  68. ^ Johnson, Raphielle (April 3, 2014). "Jahlil Okafor, West team outlast East in McDonald's All-America Game". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  69. ^ Johnson, Raphielle (April 12, 2014). "Duke-bound trio helps lead USA to Nike Hoop Summit victory". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  70. ^ Phillips, Scott (April 18, 2014). "Chicago duo Jahlil Okafor, Cliff Alexander earn MVP honors as East beats West in Jordan Brand Classic". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  71. ^ "Jahlil Okafor, Cliff Alexander Win Co-MVPs at 2014 Jordan Classic". SLAM Magazine. April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  72. ^ Travis, Clyde (February 13, 2014). "Jahlil Okafor, Cliff Alexander lead All-City Team". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  73. ^ "Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year Finalists". NaismithAwards.com. February 18, 2014. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  74. ^ McLaughlin, Brian (March 14, 2014). "Jahlil Okafor of Chicago Is Parade's 2014 Boys Basketball Player of the Year". Parade. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  75. ^ a b Helfgot, Mike (March 25, 2014). "Young's Okafor named national player of year". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  76. ^ Halley, Jim (April 8, 2014). "2014 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Boys Basketball Team". USA Today. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  77. ^ "2014 Mr. Basketball of Illinois voting". Chicago Tribune. March 29, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  78. ^ Hickman, Jason (April 19, 2014). "MaxPreps 2013–14 Boys Basketball All-American Team". MaxPreps. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  79. ^ Helfgot, Mike (June 21, 2014). "2013–14 Tribune/WGN Ch. 9 Athlete of the Year | Young's Jahlil Okafor: Duke basketball recruit, McDonald's All-American gives off the court, too". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  80. ^ Flores, Ronnie (May 18, 2011). "All-time underclass POYs: Class players of the year among juniors, sophomores and freshmen since 1970". ESPN HS. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  81. ^ Telep, Dave (July 1, 2011). "Ten storylines to look for in July". ESPN. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  82. ^ Calle, Franklyn (September 13, 2011). "SLAM Fresh 10 – 2014: Next in line". SLAM Magazine. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  83. ^ Calle, Franklyn (January 23, 2011). "SLAM Fresh 10 – 2014: Check out who got next". SLAM Magazine. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  84. ^ Calle, Franklyn (May 30, 2011). "SLAM Fresh 25-2014: Approaching on the horizon". SLAM Magazine. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  85. ^ Jordan, Jason (January 8, 2012). "Gonzaga College rolls past Whitney Young". ESPN HS. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  86. ^ Grimala, Mike (January 9, 2012). "Stock Watch: Nunn, Okafor come through in prime time". ESPN HS. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  87. ^ Jordan, Jason (April 30, 2012). "AAU notebook: NCAA coaches inspire". ESPN HS. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  88. ^ Bell, Taylor (May 25, 2012). "Could Whitney Young's Okafor be No. 1 prep player for 2014?". Comcast SportsNet. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  89. ^ "Complete First Round Results – 1980–89: 1981". NBA.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  90. ^ Telep, Dave (October 25, 2012). "Andrew Wiggins in Class of 2013". ESPN. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  91. ^ Bossi, Eric (October 27, 2012). "Mailbag: Could Wiggins play in the pros?". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  92. ^ Rayno, Amelia (November 6, 2012). "Tyus Jones on Minnesota: "They've been there since the beginning of it all ... that's why they're still one of my final schools."". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  93. ^ Bossi, Eric (March 18, 2013). "Jahlil Okafor is still the player to watch in the new 2014 Rivals150". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  94. ^ Parrish, Gary (October 7, 2014). "Jahlil Okafor – CBSSports.com's Preseason Player of the Year". ABC Sports. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  95. ^ a b Dauster, Rob (November 3, 2014). "College Basketball Talk's 2014–2015 Preseason All-American Teams". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  96. ^ a b Rutherford, Mike (November 13, 2014). "The Preseason All-Americans". SB Nation. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  97. ^ Fraschilla, Fran; Seth Greenberg (October 29, 2014). "Player of the Year picks for 2014–15". ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  98. ^ "USA TODAY Sports' 2014–15 preseason college basketball All-American team". USA Today. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  99. ^ Parrish, Gary (October 7, 2014). "CBSSports.com 2014–15 Preseason All-America basketball teams". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  100. ^ Fox, David (November 10, 2014). "Athlon Sports' 2014–15 College Basketball All-America Team". Athlon Sports. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  101. ^ Moore, C. J. (November 13, 2014). "B/R's 2014–15 Preseason College Basketball All-American Picks". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  102. ^ DeCourcy, Mike (November 5, 2014). "Sporting News' 2014–15 preseason All-Americans". Sporting News. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  103. ^ "Marcus Paige, Jahlil Okafor lead SI's preseason All-America team". Sports Illustrated. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  104. ^ "AP reveals preseason All-Americans". ESPN. Associated Press. November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  105. ^ "College Hoops Rankings: 10–1". ESPN. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  106. ^ "Paige voted Preseason Player of Year; Okafor tabbed for Rookie honor". Atlantic Coast Conference. October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  107. ^ "Wooden Top 50 watch list unveiled". ESPN. November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  108. ^ "Three Blue Devils Named to USBWA Watchlists". GoDuke.com. Duke University. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  109. ^ "Louisville's Harrell, Duke's Okafor claim first honors of 2014–15 season". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  110. ^ "(19) Michigan State 71 (1–1, 1–0 away); (4) Duke 81 (3–0, 2–0 home)". ESPN. November 18, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  111. ^ "Miami's Rodriguez, Duke's Okafor Honored as ACC Men's Basketball Players of the Week". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  112. ^ "Miami's McClellan named Player of Week; Duke's Okafor again top freshman". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  113. ^ "No. 2 Duke leans on Jahlil Okafor for 25 points, 20 rebounds in win". ESPN. Associated Press. December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  114. ^ "Louisville's Rozier, Duke's Okafor recognized". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. December 22, 2014. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  115. ^ "Jahlil Okafor scores 28 as No. 2 Duke routs BC by 23". ESPN. Associated Press. January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  116. ^ "Okafor Named ACC Player & Freshman of the Week". GoDuke.com. Duke University. January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  117. ^ "Okafor Tabbed ACC Rookie of the Week". GoDuke.com. Duke University. January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  118. ^ Medcalf, Myron (January 14, 2015). "WWooden Top 25 watch list unveiled". ESPN. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  119. ^ "Okafor's 30 points lead No. 4 Duke past Virginia Tech, 91–86". ESPN. Associated Press. February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  120. ^ "Duke's Jahlil Okafor Coaches' Choice as ACC Player, Freshman of the Year". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  121. ^ "ACCMBB Coaches Name 2015 All-ACC Team". TheACC.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  122. ^ "Duke's Okafor Wins Integris Wayman Tisdale Award". United States Basketball Writers Association. March 17, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  123. ^ Fagan, Ryan (March 6, 2015). "Sporting News' 2014–15 college basketball All-Americans". Sporting News. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  124. ^ "USBWA Names 2014–15 All-Americans". United States Basketball Writers Association. March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  125. ^ "Niang, Hield Earn NABC All-America Honors" (Press release). Big 12 Conference. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  126. ^ "The AP released their All-American teams on Monday". NBCSports.com. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  127. ^ Brennan, Eamonn (April 6, 2015). "Five observations: Duke stops Wisconsin, wins Coach K's fifth national title". ESPN. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  128. ^ "Comeback! Duke drops Wisconsin to capture national title No. 5". ESPN. Associated Press. April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  129. ^ "Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky, UConn's Breanna Stewart win Wooden awards". ESPN. April 11, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  130. ^ "Duke's Jahlil Okafor declares for draft". ESPN. April 9, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  131. ^ "Philadelphia 76ers Select Jahlil Okafor, Richaun Holmes, Arturas Gudaitis, J.P. Tokoto, And Luka Mitrovic In The 2015 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  132. ^ "Sixers Sign Jahlil Okafor". NBA.com. July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  133. ^ "Sixers sign Jahlil Okafor to his 1st NBA contract". Comcast SportsNet. July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  134. ^ "Thomas leads Celtics to 112-95 season-opening win over 76ers". ESPN. Associated Press. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  135. ^ a b Deveney, Sean (October 29, 2015). "Jahlil Okafor's debut gives 76ers' 'process' clearer focus than ever before". Sporting News. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  136. ^ Hayes, Marcus (October 29, 2015). "Sixers' Jahlil Okafor Era begins". Philly.com. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  137. ^ "Bulls pull away in 2nd half, top winless 76ers 111-88". ESPN. Associated Press. November 9, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  138. ^ "Raptors top winless 76ers, Philadelphia drops 18th straight". ESPN. Associated Press. November 11, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  139. ^ "Raptors 119 (6-3, 4-2 away); 76ers 103 (0-8, 0-5 home)". ESPN. November 11, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  140. ^ "76ers rookie Jahlil Okafor involved in Boston street fight". ESPN. November 26, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  141. ^ Broussard, Chris (December 1, 2015). "Sources: Jahlil Okafor to now be accompanied by security guard". ESPN. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  142. ^ "76ers stop record skid with win over Lakers in Kobe's final game in hometown". ESPN. Associated Press. December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  143. ^ Devine, Dan (December 2, 2015). "76ers suspend Jahlil Okafor after he was allegedly involved in second Boston fight (Video)". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  144. ^ "Sixers Hand Okafor Two Game Suspension". NBA.com. December 2, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  145. ^ "Spurs rest starters, still romp 119-68 past hapless 76ers". NBA.com. December 7, 2015. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  146. ^ "Okafor help 76ers rout Trail Blazers 114-89". NBA.com. January 16, 2016. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  147. ^ "Wiggins, Porzingis among players in BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. January 27, 2016. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  148. ^ "76ers' Jahlil Okafor: Collects career-high 17 boards in win". CBS Sports. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  149. ^ Pompey, Keith (February 7, 2016). "Sixers close strong to defeat Nets". Philly.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  150. ^ Camerato, Jessica (February 6, 2016). "Brown swaps bigs in latest attempt to solve Noel-Okafor riddle". Comcast SportsNet. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  151. ^ "Mavericks cruise to 129-103 win over 76ers". ESPN. Associated Press. February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  152. ^ "Big Magic start dooms 76ers to eighth straight loss, 130-116". ESPN. Associated Press. February 28, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  153. ^ "Wall scores 37 as Wizards rally to beat 76ers 116-108". ESPN. Associated Press. March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  154. ^ "Jahlil Okafor out for 2nd straight game with shin contusion". Comcast SportsNet Philly. March 2, 2016. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  155. ^ "Harden, Howard help Rockets fend of 76ers, 118-104". ESPN. Associated Press. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  156. ^ "Medical Report: Jahlil Okafor". NBA.com. March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  157. ^ "Karl-Anthony Towns voted rookie of the year". ESPN. May 16, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  158. ^ "Wolves' Towns, Knicks' Porzingis lead 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie teams". NBA.com. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original on May 22, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  159. ^ "Sixers exercise contract options on Joel Embiid, Nik Stauskas, Jahlil Okafor". NBA.com. October 30, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  160. ^ Camerato, Jessica (October 31, 2016). "Sixers to rest Jahlil Okafor Tuesday, Joel Embiid Wednesday". Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  161. ^ McMenamin, Dave (November 5, 2016). "Brett Brown says he will review Joel Embiid's minutes restriction around Christmas". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  162. ^ Bodner, Derek (November 22, 2016). "Sixers Down Heat for 4th Straight Home Win: The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Miami Heat 101-94 Monday night for their 4th straight home win". Philadelphia. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  163. ^ "John Wall's 25 points, Wizards beat 76ers 109-93". ESPN.com. January 14, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  164. ^ "Minnesota's Towns and Philadelphia's Embiid headline roster for 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. January 25, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  165. ^ "Anthony's jumper gives Knicks 110-109 victory over 76ers". ESPN.com. February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  166. ^ Withers, Tom (March 31, 2017). "Philadelphia 76ers shutting down Jahlil Okafor, Robert Covington". NBA.com. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  167. ^ Windhorst, Brian (March 31, 2017). "Season over for 76ers' Jahlil Okafor, Robert Covington". ESPN. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  168. ^ "Reports: Philadelphia 76ers decide to not exercise Okafor's fourth-year option". NBA.com. October 31, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  169. ^ "Jahlil Okafor would welcome a trade or buyout from 76ers". ESPN.com. November 1, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  170. ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (November 26, 2017). "76ers' Jahlil Okafor remains hopeful for quick resolution". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  171. ^ Maloney, Jack (November 19, 2017). "LOOK: Jahlil Okafor's father wears 'Free Jah' shirt to Sixers vs. Warriors game". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  172. ^ Devine, Dan (November 20, 2017). "Even the Warriors agree that the 76ers should free Jahlil Okafor". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  173. ^ ||cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/5/29/17406750/bryan-colangelo-philadelphia-76ers-twitter-joel-embiid-anonymous-markelle-fultz%7Ctitle=The Curious Case of Bryan Colangelo and the Secret Twitter Account|accessdate=November 29, 2019|date=May 29, 2018|website=The Ringer|author=Detrick, Ben}}
  174. ^ Cacciola, Scott and Victor Mather (June 7, 2018). "The Story of the Wife Who Defended Her Husband in a Way That Left Him Unemployed". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  175. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Acquire Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas and Second Round Pick From Philadelphia". NBA.com. December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  176. ^ "Lowry goes for triple-double as Raptors rout Nets 120-87". ESPN.com. December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  177. ^ a b "Nets cool off Timberwolves 98-97 on Dinwiddie's jumper". ESPN.com. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  178. ^ "Curry scores season-high 45 points, Warriors beat Clippers". ESPN.com. January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  179. ^ "Butler returns to score 21 points, Wolves beat Nets 111-97". ESPN.com. January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  180. ^ Knaus, Ryan (June 5, 2018). "Free Agency Preview: Atlantic". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  181. ^ "Pelicans sign Jahlil Okafor". NBA.com. August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  182. ^ "Antetokounmpo scores 25 as Bucks beat Pelicans 123-115". ESPN. Associated Press. December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  183. ^ "Anthony Davis Injury Update". NBA.com. January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  184. ^ "Balanced Pelicans easily top Grizzlies without injured Davis". ESPN. Associated Press. January 21, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  185. ^ "Aldridge has double-double as Spurs beat Pelicans 126-114". ESPN. Associated Press. January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  186. ^ Eichenhofer, Jim (January 29, 2019). "Postgame wrap: Pelicans 121, Rockets 116". NBA.com. New Orleans Pelicans. Retrieved January 30, 2019. ...Jahlil Okafor (a fifth straight quality start at center, this time going for 27 points and 12 rebounds)...
  187. ^ "Postgame wrap: Pistons 98, Pelicans 94". NBA.com. January 23, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  188. ^ a b Eichenhofer, Jim (October 8, 2019). "Pelicans 2019 preseason profile: Jahlil Okafor". NBA.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  189. ^ Andrews, Malika (June 20, 2019). "Pelicans pick up Okafor's '19-20 team option". ESPN. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  190. ^ Eichenhofer, Jim (October 31, 2019). "Postgame wrap: Pelicans 122, Nuggets 107". NBA.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  191. ^ Eichenhofer, Jim (January 13, 2020). "Postgame wrap: Pelicans 117, Pistons 110 (OT)". NBA.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  192. ^ Eichenhofer, Jim (January 28, 2020). "Jahlil Okafor joins other NBA players in giving up No. 8 jersey, honoring legacy of Kobe Bryant". NBA.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  193. ^ Andrews, Malika; Bontemps, Tim (January 28, 2020). "Spencer Dinwiddie, several others change numbers to honor Kobe". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  194. ^ Eichenhofer, Jim (January 30, 2020). "Jahlil Okafor: Easy decision to honor Kobe Bryant by changing number". NBA.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  195. ^ "Detroit Pistons Sign Free Agents Mason Plumlee, Jahlil Okafor, Josh Jackson and Deividas Sirvydis". NBA.com. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  196. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Complete Trade With Detroit Pistons". NBA.com. September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  197. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Waive Jahlil Okafor". NBA.com. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  198. ^ "Atlanta Hawks Sign Johnny Hamilton, A.J. Lawson, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Jahlil Okafor". NBA.com. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  199. ^ Benson, Pat (October 11, 2021). "Atlanta Hawks Waive Jahlil Okafor". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  200. ^ Potter, Andrew Joe (October 11, 2021). "Hawks waive former No. 3 pick Okafor". theScore. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  201. ^ a b "2011 USA Basketball Men's U16 National Team Roster Announced". SLAM Magazine. June 13, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  202. ^ "Boys basketball – 3 locals, 4 from Illinois on USA U16 National Team". Chicago Tribune. June 14, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  203. ^ "Boys Basketball – Okafor helps U.S. to gold medal, Parker named MVP". Chicago Tribune. June 26, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  204. ^ "2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship: Individual Basketball Statistics: Through games of Jun 25, 2011 (All games)" (PDF). USA Basketball. June 25, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  205. ^ Helfgot, Mike (June 19, 2011). "Mike Helfgot on boys basketball – Jabari Parker, Kendrick Nunn, Jahlil Okafor named to USA Basketball U-17 team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  206. ^ "Jahlil Okafor". FIBA. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  207. ^ "USA Men's U17 World Championship Team Overcomes Slow Start For 89–64 Victory Over Australia". USA Basketball. June 25, 2012. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  208. ^ Powers, Scott (July 8, 2012). "Okafor named World Championship MVP". ESPN HS. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  209. ^ "FIBA U17 – USA repeat undefeated golden title". FIBA.com. July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  210. ^ Helfgot, Mike (July 8, 2012). "Boys basketball blog – Jabari Parker helps U.S. win gold: Okafor named MVP". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  211. ^ "FIBA U17 – MVP Okafor leads All-Tournament Team". FIBA.com. July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  212. ^ "Twenty-Four Athletes Accept Invitations To USA Basketball's 2013 Men's U19 Training Camp". USA Basketball. May 21, 2013. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  213. ^ Katz, Andy (June 20, 2013). "Breaking down the Team USA roster". ESPN. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  214. ^ DeCourcy, Mike (June 18, 2013). "Team USA U19 roster set – who made the team?". Sporting News. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  215. ^ DeCourcy, Mike (July 7, 2013). "USA wins gold at FIBA U19 World Championships". Sporting News. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  216. ^ Henry, Scott (September 2, 2013). "What Makes Jahlil Okafor the Best Player in 2014 NCAA Recruiting Class?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  217. ^ Sam, Aggrey (September 24, 2013). "Welcome 2 Chicago: Already famed for its PGs and wings, gifted big men Cliff Alexander and Jahlil Okafor will keep the prep hoops spotlight firmly on the Windy City this season". SLAM Magazine. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  218. ^ ARMSTRONG, MEGAN. "Sign UpLogin BASKETBALL (OLYMPIC) Jahlil Okafor Commits to Play for Nigeria at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games". Bleacherreport.com. Bleacherreport. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  219. ^ "Jahlil Okafor commits to Nigeria for Olympic basketball". NBCSPORTS.COM. February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  220. ^ "Okafor Caps Olympics Debut with Nigeria". Duke University. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  221. ^ a b c d e f g Noland, Terrance. "Jahlil Okafor Is on His Way Up". Chicago magazine.
  222. ^ a b "Duke Men's Basketball Bio: 15 Jahlil Okafor". GoDuke.com. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  223. ^ "Personnel Files With Jahlil Okafor and Jabari Parker". Chicago Sun-Times. September 1, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  224. ^ Lee, Michael (April 3, 2015). "Final Four provides chance to debate NBA's No. 1 pick". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  225. ^ O'Connor, Sean (September 25, 2017). "Sixers Sign Emeka Okafor for Training Camp". SB Nation. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  226. ^ Blondin, Alan (December 27, 2012). "Sky is limit, holds inspiration for Whitney Young's Okafor". The State. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  227. ^ a b c Shultz, Alex (July 3, 2019). "The Real-Life Diet of Jahlil Okafor, Who's Now Healthier in Mind and Body". GQ. Retrieved March 30, 2020.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""