Bold Prediction: Jahlil Okafor Will Compete For Top NBA Scorer

By Bret Stuter | Sep 8, 2016

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) attempt to dribbles past the defense of Orlando Magic forward Jason Smith (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dribbles against Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Worst Scenario

The 2015-2016 rookie season could not have laid out more obstacles for the young man to overcome in a single season. Why do I say this?

The team went 10-72, and lost their first 18 games before winning on December 1, 2015.

Recall the team Okafor was joining. On opening night against the Boston Celtics, only nine players suited up, the point guard was Isaiah Canaan, and Nerlens Noel played power forward. Three point shooting for the night came in at 31.8%.

The team had 12 assists that night, four of them coming from undrafted rookie T.J.McConnell off the bench. Jahlil Okafor scored 26 points. On that night, Carl Landry, Tony Wroten, Robert Covington, Kendall Marshall,Nik Stauskas, and Joel Embiid were injured.

The team would never see Embiid that season, would not see Landry until Dec. 23, Wroten on Dec. 5, Marshall until Dec. 11, and Covington back fully until Nov.16.

Jahlil Okafor was disciplined for off-court transgressions, and was suspended for games on December 2nd and 5th.

Next: Too Much Too Little Too Late