Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Champ Leads G League Voting for NBA All-Star Weekend

Former Duke basketball one-and-done Jahlil Okafor has been on a tear all season.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball players Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow
Duke basketball players Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

In this story:

Duke Blue Devils

It's probably not as satisfying as a return to the NBA stage. Even so, standing as the premier talent in the G League this season says plenty about the resilience of Duke basketball product Jahlil Okafor.

ALSO READ: Entire Duke Team Embraces Brotherhood Takeover in Boston

As of the third round of fan vote returns this week, the 2015 Blue Devil national champion and former No. 3 overall draft pick, now 29 years old and out of the NBA since 2020-21 in part due to injury hurdles throughout his professional career, is the leading vote-getter for the NBA G League Up Next Game. The showcase is slated for Sunday, Feb. 16, part of All-Star weekend in San Francisco.

Through 24 appearances for the Indiana Mad Ants, Jahlil Okafor is averaging 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. The 6-foot-10, 270-pound Chicago native, who ranked No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2014 Composite when he arrived in Durham for prolific one-and-done campaign, is shooting 65.3 percent from the field and 80.0 percent at the charity stripe.

And his Mad Ants sit No. 2 in the G League Eastern Conference standings.

Okafor has suited up for four NBA franchises, averaging 10.4 points and 4.7 boards in 247 regular season outings across his five seasons in the league. Again, though, he's still aiming to get a call up for the first time in about four years.

ALSO READ: Another Mock Draft High on Three Blue Devil Rookies

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more updates on former Duke basketball players and other Blue Devil news.

Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Share on XFollow MattGilesBD
Home/Basketball