Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Star Arrives Sharing Championship Vibes

At some point next season, Jahlil Okafor may well get a call up to join three fellow Duke basketball products on the Suns roster.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski and center Jahlil Okafor
Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski and center Jahlil Okafor / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Dozens of former Duke basketball players were on hand for Pro Devils Weekend in Durham. Jahlil Okafor, back in the United States following three years playing overseas, is one of those players who returned to campus to bond with his former coaches and other members of The Brotherhood.

ALSO READ: Former Duke Big Man Enlivens Campus During Visit

"It's awesome being back at Duke," Okafor says in the following video, courtesy of the Duke basketball social media team. "It's always great being back here. Being in Durham, seeing familiar faces, it's always love being back."

Of course, the 28-year-old Okafor, who landed USBWA Freshman of the Year honors while helping to power the Blue Devils to the most recent of their five national titles, took time to reflect on his memorable 2014-15 journey as a one-and-done before getting drafted No. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers that summer.

"It feels crazy to think that it's been 10 years since we won the national championship," he noted. "It just makes you feel like I'm getting old...

"The thing that made that team so special, I think, was how close we were as a unit. We all had the same goal of winning a national championship, and we held each other accountable each and every day, knowing that that was our end goal. And those guys, I'm still close with to this day. So, I would say the relationships that I built, that was the most special thing about that team."

Now, there's a decent chance that Jahlil Okafor will reunite with two of his 2014-15 teammates in Phoenix next season, as guards Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones are both on the roster, not to mention 2009-2013 Duke basketball center Mason Plumlee.

Back in June, the Phoenix Suns' new G League affiliate, the Valley Suns, selected Okafor at No. 3 overall in the expansion draft. The 6-foot-11 big man, who has 247 NBA games under his belt but no appearances in the league since his 2020-21 campaign, should have an opportunity to impress Phoenix brass and perhaps earn a 10-day contract or better during the season.

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Matt Giles
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.

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