Former 3rd Overall Pick Heading to China

He was the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft just six years ago, and after a strong rookie year it was all downhill from there. Now, with no teams coming a-calling even in this, the season of the emergency 10-days, Jahlil Okafor is apparently heading to China to continue his basketball career. 

Jahlil Okafor is expected to join the Chinese Basketball Association, per @Sportando pic.twitter.com/WYiJTQi7Lt

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 9, 2022

Sources told Sportando that the 26-year-old center is expected to be signing with Guangsha of the Chinese CBA.  

Okafor played for the Detroit Pistons last season, his 4th NBA team, averaging 5.4 points. He spent last summer playing for Nigeria in the Olympics, and then was picked up by the Atlanta Hawks on a non-guaranteed contract for training camp, but was waived before the season. 

Okafor's style of game has really been phased out of the NBA; he attempted only 27 three-pointers in his entire 247-game career. He averaged 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. His peak came in his rookie year, with high expectations, when he posted 17.5 points and 7 rebounds for the Philadelphia 76ers. 

He spent 2+ years in Philly, before being dealt to Brooklyn, and then on to New Orleans, and finally Detroit last season. 

Photo Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports