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2015/16 NBA Rookie of the Year Race

By Anthony Morgan

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dribbles asWashington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends during the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dribbles asWashington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends during the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2 – Jahlil Okafor

Odds: 5/1

Drafted: 3rd by the Philadelphia 76ers

FGM FGA FG% 3FGM 3FGA 3P% FTM FTA FT% Reb Ast Stl Blk TO Pts
Summer 34 76 0.45 0 0 0 13 32 0.406 41 7 4 4 23 81
Preseason 16 41 0.39 0 0 0 8 9 0.8 14 3 1 3 13 40
Total 50 117 0 0 0 21 41 55 10 5 7 36 121
Average 5.6 13 42.7% 0 0 0.0% 2.33 4.6 51.2% 6.1 1.1 1 0.8 4 13

After receiving Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid in back to back drafts, it came as a bit of a surprise when the 76ers selected Jahlil Okafor. Question marks surrounding Embiid’s foot injury that will see him miss another season would have made the selection a little easier as well as the fact there was a clear drop off in prospects after Okafor.

Starting alongside Noel, I think Okafor projects to get the most amount of field goal attempts in the rookie class. He has been disappointing in terms of his shooting percentages during the games he has played in Pre-Season and the Summer League. He hasn’t been able to out strengthen the opposition like he did during his college days.

There is a worry that with the likes of Kendall Marshall, Tony Wroten and Isaiah Nanaan spending time at point guard this season, they lack the skills to really take advantage of what Okafor can do inside. Okafor will rely heavily on his point guards to ensure he receives the ball in positions where he can really go to work inside.

Regardless of that, considering his role with the Sixers, I believe Okafor will have the opportunities a lot of the rookies won’t, minutes and touches which should help him average close to a double double throughout the season. He should be in the race for Rookie of the Year from opening night and I project him to be in the conversation at the end of the season.

Next: Emmanuel Mudiay

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