As he navigates his way through the NBA Draft process, Jahlil Okafor has as bright a north star as possible guiding his course. Fellow Chicagoan Jabari Parker has been there to lend support. Parker, a Simeon graduate, was also a Duke University “one-and-done” who went #2 overall in his draft class (2014, Milwaukee Bucks).
Okafor is poised to go #2 in this class Thursday night.
The future L.A. Lakers center described Parker as being “like a brother” during our interview with him leading up to the draft.
“He told me to be who I am,” Okafor responded when I asked him what was the best piece of advice that Parker had given him thus far.
The young big man is headed to one of the two (the Boston Celtics are the other) most prestigious franchises in the NBA. The Lakers are right there with the Celtics as the two top NBA brands. And Okafor is set to become the next huge star in Tinsel Town.
The latest mock draft consensus has him going #2 to L.A. This is looking more and more like a done deal.
Here is the Jahlil Okafor highlight video:
Jahlil Okafor has had a lifetime of success on the basketball court. From winning high school player of the year to becoming a champion at Duke this past season, Jahlil has lived up to expectations at every stage. At age 9, Jahlil lost his mother, who was a constant source of support and guidance to her children. Soon after, Okafor moved to live with his father in Chicago where basketball undeniably became his avenue of stability.
Speed Stick highlights the story of the purposeful moments that have mattered in Jahlil’s life and how he continues to defy the doubt:
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous sports talk radio stations all across the country.
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