Tonight, with the third overall pick, the Philadelphia 76ers selected freshman big man Jahlil Okafor out of Duke University. This past season as a freshman, Okafor averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Okafor now forms a big man trio with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid.
There was some thought before the draft that the Sixers would take Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell with the third overall pick if he was available. That did not happen as the Los Angeles Lakers took Russell with the second overall pick.
This upcoming season, it will be interesting to see how Sixers head coach Brett Brown rotates all three big men. Jahlil Okafor compliments Noel very well as he is a better offensive player. As a freshman at Duke, Okafor shot 66.4 percent from the field but only shot 51 percent from the free throw line.
Finally, if you think that the Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie will trade Jahlil Okafor, think again. Minutes after the Sixers’ pick, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports tweeted out that the Sixers plan to keep Okafor for good.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
