1. Jahlil Okafor, Duke Blue Devils
Position: Center
Age: 19
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 272 pounds, 7’5″
Slash Line: .674/.000/.514
Season Averages: 30.3 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.6 ORPG, 1.4 APG, 1.5 BPG, 0.7 SPG
Strengths
- Imposing physical presence. Unreal combination of size, strength and length.
- Dominant rebounder. Gets after it on the offensive glass.
- Elite low-post player. Scores and facilitates with his back to the basket.
- Unfathomably polished footwork and fundamentals. Already knows when to pass out of double-teams.
- Dominant defender when focused.
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent effort on defense.
- Dreadful free throw shooter.
- Lacks explosive leaping ability.
Analysis
In his worst scoring performance of the season, Jahlil Okafor dominated the defensive interior for the second consecutive round. That’s a major change of pace from the vast majority of the 2014-15 college basketball season.
Just like that, the concerns about his defensive potential are withering away.
Two rounds of high-caliber defense fail to override a full season of issues, but it’s certainly a promising sign. Not only is Okafor blocking shots, but he’s using his strength, length and mobility to alter the game in multiple phases.
With that being said, going 3-of-5 for six points against fellow first-round prospect Jakob Poeltl is somewhat concerning.
By far the best I've seen any big man play Jahlil Okafor. Jakob Poeltl played really smart, and super hard. Surely helped his draft stock.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 28, 2015
It should be noted that Utah consistently brought double and triple-teams to cover Okafor, but Poeltl did play well.
The good news: Okafor had 75 points over his past three games and 47 in his previous two NCAA Tournament outings leading up to the Sweet 16. The even better news: he’s improved defensively.
As has been the case since Day 1, there’s little question about who’s going No. 1 in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Next: Elite Defensive Potential