SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Former Duke center Jahlil Okafor had a mentor parked next to him during his first two NBA games at the Utah Jazz Summer League – albeit one not much older than he is.
Center Nerlens Noel was all in Okafor’s ear, allaying any concerns that there may be some friction between the two highly drafted players at the same position.
The 76ers rebuilding process that has led to 127 losses in the last two years has also left the 76ers with a stockpile of young big men.
Still, when Okafor was surprisingly available when Philadelphia was on the clock with the No. 3 pick during the NBA draft, the 76ers didn’t hesitate to take him.
He is considered the most offensively skilled big to come out of college in years. The presence of Noel, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2013 draft, and center Joel Embiid, No. 3 in 2014, wasn’t a deterrent for Philly.