Disclaimer: This piece does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Timberwolves organization.
Freshman, C, Duke
6’11”, 272 LBS
7’5” Wing Span
9’2.5” Standing Reach *
*measurements from Hoop Summit. Okafor did not take part in NBA Combine.
College Stats In 2014-15:
38 games, 30.1 MPG, 17.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 66.4 FG%, 51 FT%
Where He’ll Go:
Okafor is expected to be a top-3 pick.
Best Game In 2014-15:
Okafor was an absolute beast during a Dec. 15 75-62 win over Elon. In 29 minutes, Okafor had a game-high 25 points to go with 20 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist. He shot 10-of-14 from the field and 5-of-11 from the free-throw line. Elon isn’t exactly considered a powerhouse, but if it weren’t for Okafor’s performance, there’s a good chance Duke would have lost this game.
(Duke fans instantly think of losing to Lehigh and Mercer and start crying.)
Scouting Report:
This isn’t your father’s NBA.
It isn’t a throw to the big man, let him do his thing and if you have the best big man, you’ll probably win the game, NBA anymore.
Just from reading that, it doesn’t look good for Okafor, right?
It might be more complicated than that.
In case you don’t know, Okafor is one of the best low-post scoring prospects to come along in years. If you ask Wolves President of Basketball Operations and head coach Flip Saunders, Okafor has the best footwork for a prospect since a guy named Tim Duncan came out of Wake Forest back in 1997.
It seems silly to think that Okafor’s game wouldn’t translate to the NBA. It’s true that he is a classic low-post scorer. He’s your Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin McHale protype. Obviously these are all Hall of Famers and Okafor, well, isn't one yet. But you get the idea: Okafor is a flat-out stud down low. He’s got fantastic footwork and will end of drawing double teams from opposing defenses.
So, here’s the question with Okafor: With the NBA shifting to smaller lineups and less of an emphasis on feeding the post, is it possible to go with the “do the opposite” strategy and take advantage of those smaller lineups with a big man with elite skills like Okafor?
That question is above my pay raise, fortunately. It’s a difficult decision to make and given where Okafor is likely to go in the draft, it’s a crucial one for the future of any team.
He’s shown the ability to run the court and he moves very fluidly, which is a good thing for today’s faster NBA. He is an above-average passer, which is really something that will benefit immensely him the pros. If he does turn into a dominating big man, teams will be forced to double-team him. If they double, he’ll be able to kick it out to a cutting teammate for a layup for an open player for three.
He’ll also have more space in the NBA. In college, most opposing strategies focused around stopping him. In the NBA, at least early on, that won’t be the case.
“He’s going to have more space in the league to operate, and you’ll see the kind of effectiveness that we’ve come to expect from the kid,” ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said. “ And he still had a great year by anybody’s measures.”
This doesn’t mean Okafor is a shoe-in to be a multiple All-Star in the NBA. He’s got a few weaknesses as well. Outside of the paint, Okafor isn’t a great shooter. He can face up against his defender (which speaks to how good he already is at ball handling for a big man), but it doesn’t result in a Duncan-like bank shot. Instead it will be Okafor trying to get to the basket. As far as going out the three-point line, it might as well be the Narnia Line. Okafor isn’t going out there.
He also struggles from the free-throw line. This is obviously something he’ll be working on constantly this summer. It’s tough to have a low-post stud in the game when the other team could just wrap him up during or before his shot.
He’ll also have to improve defensively. He sometimes gets caught drifting. Okafor has the body (9’2.5” standing reach and 7’5.” wing span) that will make it tough for anybody to score over the top of him. The most important thing will be for him to just make sure he’s in the right place at the right time. He also leaves something to be desired on the defensive glass, averaging just 6.5 per 40 minutes last season at Duke.
The question with Okafor is whether or not you think there is room for a low-post scorer like him in the league. And if there is, will he fit your team’s personnel?
The league changes and evolves. That’s something to keep in mind with a talent like Okafor.
Twitter Talk
Quotable
“In Okafor, you have a kid whose limitations, right now, may be on the defensive end, but you’re talking about a very skilled young offensive player at 6’11”, who I think in his early 20s is going to be unguardable.” – ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla’s scouting report on Jahlil Okafor.