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An Early-Season Look At NBA Draft Prospects For The Detroit Pistons

By Souichi Terada

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Name: Jahlil Okafor

College/Year: Duke/Freshman

Position: C

Current Stats: 17.4 PPG/8.9 RPG/1.6 APG

Dec 3, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) attempts to moves the ball against Wisconsin Badgers forward Vitto Brown (30) at the Kohl Center. Duke defeated Wisconsin 80-70. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Terada: For our fourth prospect we’re handing the spotlight to Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor.

With solid stats for the undefeated Duke Blue Devils Okafor is looking like the potential #1 overall NBA draft prospect. It’s well-deserved too as his efficiency has helped Duke so far this season.

He’s currently averaging a solid 17.4 PPG with 11.5 FGA on a 65.2 FG%. The only problem with his efficiency is that he sports a low 51.1 FT% struggling just like our very own Drummond. Besides that though he’s playing for the Blue Devils.

Just like I mentioned with the last two players it’s hard to predict the Pistons grabbing another big especially with Smith inked for two more years. The fit may not necessarily be there with Drummond and Smith but the talent is there in Okafor.

If a trade does happen before the 2015 NBA draft though, I’d love to see the Pistons draft Okafor if he was still on the board.

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    • Shah: Okafor since his high school days is known for his fundamentals. His post game, footwork, and massive hands allow him to thoroughly dominate college games.

    He doesn’t rely primarily on athleticism like Drummond does but you will not see a more advanced young prospect like him. Which is nice to see as his game will age with grace once he starts to lose his athleticism.

    The reason Okafor is looking like the top choice for the upcoming draft is because of what he brings to the table consistently. Coach K at Duke seems to have a knack in the last two years to recruit extremely intelligent high school players, such as Parker who went #2 in the 2014 NBA Draft.

    I’ll agree with Souichi here and say I don’t particularly like the fit with the Pistons. He and Drummond play the same position for the most part. One thing to look at it is if Okafor continues to develop his mid-range jump shot.

    If the opportunity comes and Okafor is available for the Pistons I think it needs to happen. His NBA-ready game and talent is too much to pass up. He could serve as excellent trade bait or as a replacement for Drummond in the off chance the Pistons fail to resign him.

    Overall Okafor has the talent and high basketball-IQ to be successful anywhere in the NBA. Just maybe not for the Pistons because of Drummond.

    Next: Emmanuel Mudiay

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