Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
Thought to be the consensus No. 1 pick for almost the entirety of the season, Jahlil Okafor watched as Karl-Anthony Towns passed him on most boards during the NCAA tournament. It was through little fault of Okafor's own, as he turned in one of the greatest offensive seasons for a freshman big man in memory, helping lead Duke to a national championship. But most see Towns as having a higher two-way ceiling, and despite Okafor's ardent belief in his own ability to improve on defense, he's at best the number two prospect in the class.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 2 | 2 | 6' 10.75" | 272 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 5" | 9' 2.5" | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 17.3 | 8.5 | 1.3 | 66.4% | 51.0% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Blessed with soft, enormous hands - an unfair combination - and terrific footwork, Okafor will be able to score in the post immediately and has the potential to be one of the toughest interior checks in the league. His post game is made all the more dangerous by the fact that he's a quality passer out of double-teams, has good vision and a high basketball IQ, and can step out to the free-throw line to knock down open jumpers. For as good as he is stationary, he's dangerous on the move too, proving dangerous as a dive-man and getting out in transition well despite conditioning concerns, which may have been caused by injuries. And hey, because there's little else we haven't mentioned, it's worth pointing out he can create for himself off the bounce, too.
Weaknesses: Okafor didn't perform exceptionally on defense, though Duke asked him to play conservatively, sometimes away from the rim, because of his offensive value. That may improve with refinement and a new role, but it may not, and his lack of quickness suggests he could struggle guarding mobile bigs and corralling guards in the pick-and-roll. His free-throw shooting is the primary offensive concern, as it could make him a liability in close games and may portend limited upside as a shooter.
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What to Expect on Draft Day
As is often the case in a debate between two top picks - it happened last year with Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, too - the detractors focus so narrowly on weaknesses that the strengths can be forgotten about. Okafor is an immensely talented player and one of the most uniquely gifted big men to enter the NBA in years, and teams favoring Towns - not all of them do, yet - would surely be pleased to land him as a consolation prize. Each spot Okafor slides beyond No. 2 would be a major shock, and potentially a regrettable one for the team opting to pass on him.
