76ers suspend rookie Jahlil Okafor two games for off-court behavior
The Philadelphia 76ers have suspended rookie center Jahlil Okafor two games for his recent off-court behavior, the team announced Wednesday.
Okafor will sit out Wednesday’s game against the Knicks and Saturday’s game against the Nuggets. Additional video surfaced Wednesday of Okafor engaging in a physical altercation with a heckler outside a Boston bar. Other recent reports have indicated Okafor was pulled over for speeding in October.
“Jahlil is a very important part of our organization and our future,” the team wrote in a statement. While we are disappointed with his recent actions, we have faith in him as a valued member of the Sixers. We will provide the necessary resources to support him on his journey and will do our part to help him succeed both on and off the court.”
The No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft out of Duke, Okafor is considered an early candidate for Rookie of the Year and has averaged 17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his first 19 games this season.
The 76ers are 1–18 after beating the Lakers on Tuesday.
