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2015 NBA Draft: Philadelphia 76ers Select Jahlil Okafor With No. 3 Pick

By Jake Hyman

Feb 14, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) prepares to shoot a free throw against the Syracuse Orange during the second halfat the Carrier Dome. Duke defeated Syracuse 80-72. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) prepares to shoot a free throw against the Syracuse Orange during the second halfat the Carrier Dome. Duke defeated Syracuse 80-72. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Karl-Anthony Towns was rock solid to go to the Timberwolves and hearing his name called first. D’Angelo Russell, on the other hand, was a wild card to go No. 2 to the Lakers over big man Jahlil Okafor. That situation transpired as GM Sam Hinkie took the heralded Duke product with the third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

The No. 1 player on Jay Bilas’ big board, the Philadelphia 76ers tabbed the low post savant with the third pick over talents like Kristaps Porzingis and Emmanuel Mudiay. While no one could dissect the Sixers’ big board heading into the draft, the organization felt the Chicago native offered the highest upside, in addition to safety, over the rest of the class who were available.

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At one point, selecting Okafor to pair with the ‘Twin Towers’ in Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid was viewed as a redundancy in the frontcourt. With Embiid’s future far from a certainty in his timetable to return, Okafor gives the team a security blanket in the post.

He doesn’t fill that immediate need in the backcourt like a Russell or Mudiay would have given an organization, but Okafor does give Philly one of the most dominant interior presences in the league. Day one.

Combining some of the most fluid footwork, enormous hands and velvety touch, Okafor can break you down in the post however he wants. In his freshman year at Duke, the 6’11, 270-pound behemoth led the nation in shots made (279) and finished with the second best shooting percentage (66.4%) in the country.

En route to a consensus All-NCAA First Team nod and a National Title, Okafor put up a stat line to remember at Duke finishing with 17.3 ppg. and 8.5 rpg. as an 18-year-old. His craftiness in the post and ability to foster double teams on the block is essential for the production of the offense.

The Sixers finished with the worst shooting percentage inside of 10 feet in the Association per SportVU. Okafor bolsters the inside unit considerably teaming with Noel in the post.

The hesitancy to join the organization eventually will fade with ample opportunity in the limited offense. He would be in the driver’s seat for the Rookie of the Year award getting countless looks down low from the Sixers backcourt. He said  “I’m excited” during the draft and Philadelphia looks to keep ‘Jah’ in tact.

Okafor has defensive potential as a shot blocker and can add muscle to his frame. His limited lateral quickness guarding the perimeter isn’t a serious detriment as Noel represents one of the best defending big men in the league.

The fans also seem to be on board with this pick. Even ESPN’s talents are satisfied with the Okafor selection.

Adding another captivating and possible phenom in Okafor, the Sixers have a possible trio of big man that can be two-way threats in their prime. Hinkie is banking on Okafor being a consistent double-double threat on the block and as one of the safest players in this years class.

While he isn’t Russell, who was viewed as the favorite and fan favorite to join the organization, Okafor is considered the top interior talent offensively and who eventually could claim the title of the top player in this year’s class. Jahlil Okafor could end up being the force behind this rebuild and Sam Hinkie and the organization has to be enamored with his eventual ceiling.

Next: NBA Draft: Best Player Ever Selected in all 60 Spots

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