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Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor to declare for NBA draft
Duke freshman center Jahlil Okafor will declare for the NBA draft, the school announced Thursday.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Jahlil and he has earned it," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. "Obviously, he has done an incredible job here at Duke and he will always be a part of our Duke basketball family. We could not be happier for he and his family."
Okafor averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game this season and helped lead Duke to a national championship. He was ranked No. 1 by SI's Chris Mannix on his most recent NBA Big Board.
• North Carolina forward J.P. Tokoto to declare for NBA draft
The NBA's No. 1 Draft Picks in the Lottery Era
1985: Patrick Ewing
1986: Brad Daugherty
1987: David Robinson
1988: Danny Manning
1989: Pervis Ellison
1990: Derrick Coleman
New Jersey Nets
1991: Larry Johnson
1992: Shaquille O'Neal
1993: Chris Webber
Orlando Magic
1994: Glenn Robinson
1995: Joe Smith
1996: Allen Iverson
1997: Tim Duncan
San Antonio Spurs
1998: Michael Olowokandi
Milwaukee Bucks
1999: Elton Brand
2000: Kenyon Martin
New Jersey Nets
2001: Kwame Brown
2002: Yao Ming
2003: LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers
2004: Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic
2005: Andrew Bogut
Milwaukee Bucks
2006: Andrea Bargnani
2007: Greg Oden
2008: Derrick Rose
Chicago Bulls
2009: Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers
2010: John Wall
Washington Wizards
2011: Kyrie Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers
2012: Anthony Davis
New Orleans Hornets
2013: Anthony Bennett
Cleveland Cavaliers
2014: Andrew Wiggins
Cleveland Cavaliers
2015: Karl-Anthony Towns
"Okafor has been feeling some heat from [Kentucky's Karl-Anthony] Towns and the fast-rising [Ohio State freshman D'Angelo] Russell, but just like in October, his hold on the top spot remains solid," Mannix wrote. "Okafor shook off a sluggish start to March with a 28-point, eight-rebound effort in Duke’s loss to Notre Dame in the ACC tournament. He continues to impress scouts with his play in the post and with his defense, and while still rough around the edges, he has improved as the season has progressed."
Okafor and Towns are widely regarded as the top two prospects in this year's draft class. Towns and six of his teammates announced Thursday they will declare for the draft.
- Dan Gartland
