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2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Jahlil Okafor Making A Comeback?

By Nathan Grubel

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempts to drive past the defense of Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempts to drive past the defense of Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempts to drive past the defense of Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempts to drive past the defense of Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Okafor was talked about as the potential first pick in the draft at the start of last year’s collegiate season. Well, he ended up falling to the No. 3 pick and now calls Philadelphia his home.

I’m not sure that he’s definitely on the right team, but he’s starting to play with a lot more energy and motivation to prove himself to those folks in the NBA that think he’s only a one-trick pony.

He’s rebounding the ball better and starting to play more help defense of late, all while continuing to put up some massive scoring numbers (17.9 points per game in February).

Is he closing the gap on the Rookie of the Year race? He’s established himself among his peers as elite offensively but he hasn’t done enough in other areas for a long enough period of time to be as high as Porzingis or Towns. That’s not to say he can’t catch them in later years, but right now it’s too early to tell just what kind of player he’s going to be for his career and whether he can truly carry a franchise to a championship.

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