The Detroit Pistons could have another Olympian in Tokyo; almost had two
Jahlil Okafor going from Detroit Pistons to playing for Nigeria
As many basketball people know, Jahlil Okafor grew up in Chicago, which is not close to the country of Nigeria. However, he is a member of the Igbo tribe and his grandfather grew up in Nigeria, and thus is eligible to play for them.
Ironically, Okafor’s has international playing experience, with USA Basketball. He was on the Team USA U19 team that won the World Championship gold medal in 2013.
https://twitter.com/NigeriaBasket/status/1410636789723848716
No team from Africa has ever gotten out of the preliminary round, let alone won a medal in men’s basketball. Nigerian National team coach Mike Brown (former head coach of the Lakers and Cavaliers) has been actively recruiting players to make a big push for 2021.
The national team is not practicing in Nigeria, but Oakland, at the old Golden State Warriors facility. Brown is currently an assistant with the Warriors. Actually, Okafor has never lost an international tournament, winning gold three times playing for Team USA in youth competitions.
light. Related Story. Detroit Pistons: The benefits of signing Jahlil Okafor
Okafor was generally considered the No. 1 high school player in the country coming out of Whitney Young in Chicago. He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, after helping Duke win the NCAA Championship.
But Okafor has struggled in his NBA career. He is an old-fashioned low-post player when, in today’s NBA, even center’s are required to shoot three-pointers.
Last December, Okafor signed a two-year deal with the Pistons. It was not a smooth first season.
He started out as the backup to center Mason Plumlee but, when he had to miss a couple games with a minor injury, rookie Isaiah Stewart impressed enough to keep the backup role. Okafor then suffered a knee an injury that required surgery.
Okafor returned for the end of the season, but Pistons coach Dwane Casey said he still was not 100-percent, even though he was playing. Okafor finished with an average of 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 27 games for Detroit.
Nigeria has already qualified for the Olympics due to winning the the African championship in 2019. Okafor’s objective is to make sure he is selected for the team.
There are 46-players on the Nigerian preliminary roster. You can go through it here, if you like.
Okafor will have some competition for a spot. Fellow NBA centers Udoka Azubuike of the Utah Jazz, Precious Achiuwa of the Miami Heat and the Sacramento Kings’ Chimezie Metu are also there, along with big men with European experience.
There are also ex-NBA players like former Michigan player Ekpe Udoh, who was the No. 6 pick in the draft by the Warriors in 2010 (the Pistons took Greg Monroe next) and also a few with European club experience.
The fact Okafor was recruited by Brown to try out should help his chances. Nigeria plays the United States in an exhibition game on Las Vegas on July 10, so the teams should be picked shortly beforehand.
How interesting is it that Grant, playing his first game for Team USA, could be matched up against his Pistons teammate Okafor?