Ex-NBA 3rd Overall Pick Could Have A New Team

Jahlil Okafor, who was the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, was drafted to a G League expansion team.

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jahlil Okafor (Duke) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number three overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jahlil Okafor most recently played in the NBA during the 2020-21 season when he was a member of the Detroit Pistons.

That year, he averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 61.8% from the field in 27 games (two starts).

May 16, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jahlil Okafor (13) dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports / Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, the Valley Suns (a G League expansion team of the Phoenix Suns) announced 14 players they selected in the Expansion Draft.

bringing some ballers to the valley 🏜️

We’ve taken the first steps to build our roster with the 2024-2025 G-League Expansion Draft. pic.twitter.com/b58gx9FKtl

— Valley Suns (@GLeagueSuns) June 13, 2024

One of the players they picked was Okafor.

Via Evan Sidery: "The Suns’ G League affiliate, Valley Suns, officially selected Jahlil Okafor and Emmanuel Mudiay in their expansion draft.

Okafor was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, while Mudiay went No. 7 in the same class."

The Suns’ G League affiliate, Valley Suns, officially selected Jahlil Okafor and Emmanuel Mudiay in their expansion draft.

Okafor was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, while Mudiay went No. 7 in the same class. pic.twitter.com/ZPKHXe5rWr

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 14, 2024

Okafor was the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers after one outstanding season of college basketball playing for Duke.

He was picked over notable players such as Kristaps Porzingis, Myles Turner and Devin Booker.

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jahlil Okafor (Duke) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number three overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

During his rookie year, Okafor averaged 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest while shooting 50.8% from the field in 53 games.

However, he was traded after just two and half seasons with the franchise.

In addition to the 76ers and Pistons, Okafor also spent time with the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans over six seasons in the league.

Jahlil Okafor takes it strong! 💪@PelicansNBA 97@nyknicks 89

Watch the 4th on ESPN pic.twitter.com/FOX4rkB1eu

— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2020

He played 16 games in the G League for the Ciudad de Mexico Capitanes in 2022-23.

Jahlil Okafor was an absolute FORCE for the @CapitanesCDMX! 💪

The 2015 NBA lottery pick dominated for 20.5 PPG and 7.9 RPG, while shooting a red hot 69.5% FG. He had five games of 25+ PTS including a season-high 30 PTS versus the Western Conference champion Vipers. pic.twitter.com/kFxeWTTo4c

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) June 21, 2023

Last year, the 28-year-old spent time playing in China and Spain.

Jahlil Okafor @JahlilOkafor going to be tough to guard in isolation this year 18 points 5 rebounds in 25min yesterday for @casademontzaragoza 🔥 got it done on 7/9 FG pic.twitter.com/fd8PqqmGsf

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) September 28, 2023

Okafor most recently played for Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico.

It's possible he could continue to play overseas instead of the G League.