Former Duke Basketball Champ Taking Talents Overseas Next Season

It's been over two years since Duke basketball product Jahlil Okafor was on an NBA roster.

Matt Giles | Jul 22, 2023

Former Duke Basketball Champ Taking Talents Overseas Next Season /

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Jahlil Okafor, who went No. 3 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers at the 2015 NBA Draft following his one-and-done campaign with the Duke basketball national champs, last played in the league in May 2021 as a reserve for the Detroit Pistons. And it now seems highly unlikely that he'll be on an NBA roster next season, at least not at the start.

No, the 27-year-old center is heading to Europe to suit up for Basket Zaragoza of Spain's Liga ACB. The team announced Okafor's one-year deal earlier this week.

𝐎 𝐊 𝐀 𝐅 𝐎 𝐑 𝐚𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐚

ℹ️ https://t.co/1sQGnOntqX pic.twitter.com/Z4lEpMl3lE
— Casademont Zaragoza (@CasademontZGZ) July 17, 2023

Last season, Jahlil Okafor averaged 20.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks across 28 games for the Mexico City Capitanes in the G League. But a lower-body injury cut his season short.

Before that, he had a brief stint with the Zhejiang Lions in China.

After arriving in Durham as the top-ranked prospect on the 247Sports 2014 Composite, Okafor didn't disappoint. Not at all. He averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks for the Blue Devils while shooting 66.4 percent from the field.

Starring alongside his longtime friend in clutch Duke basketball point guard Tyus Jones, now entering his first year with the Washington Wizards after getting traded from the Memphis Grizzlies this summer, Okafor became a consensus First-Team All-American.

That's not to mention the ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Player of the Year.

Then Okafor earned All-Rookie honors in the NBA by averaging 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks as a full-time starter for the 76ers. After that, though, ankle injuries, off-the-court issues, and a general league-wide shift away from traditional big men contributed to the Chicago native's minutes and production plummeting.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily doses of Duke basketball news.

Published Jul 22, 2023

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.