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Jahlil Okafor is one of best to touch a high school court in the state of Illinois. While at Whitney Young he dominated opponents and even earned a 4A state title in 2014 and was named Illinois Mr. Basketball that same year.

He committed to Duke and it quickly became one of the best decisions he ever made. Okafor averaged 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds on his way to being named an All-American. He would win several other awards but nothing bigger than winning the elusive NCAA championship against Benet’s Frank Kaminsky and the Wisconsin Badgers.

The Philadelphia 76ers took the Blue Devil third overall in 2015 and he would earn All-Rookie First team honors. During his rookie season, he played 53 games (48 starts) and averaged a career-high 17.5 points and seven rebounds.

Okafor battled with injuries and changing league after his rookie season. Things were never quite the same and he last stepped foot on a NBA court in 2021.

He has not stopped his fight to return to the league. Over the last few years he’s played in China, Puerto Rico, Spain and even Mexico with the NBA’s G-League.

Prior to the start of this season, Okafor signed on with the Indiana Pacers for training camp but was quickly assigned to the Indiana Mad Ants.

This weekend, the Mad Ants went 1-1 but the 6-10 center made a strong impression. He had eight points, two rebounds, an assists, a steal, and a -10 plus-minus in 18 minutes in a loss against the Cleveland Charge.

Okafor came up big in their next matchup with 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting with six rebounds at the half. He played 35 total minutes and finished with 21 points, nine rebounds (three offensive), four assists, and a +10 plus-minus in a Mad Ants win over the Charge on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/TheMadAnts/status/1855737203105595626

Back to the NBA as six Illinois guys made some contributions on the court on Sunday.

November 10 Games

• Houston Rockets defeated Detroit Pistons, 101-99.
  • Fred VanVleet (Auburn) played a game-high 37 minutes but struggled with his shot.
    • VanVleet is shooting a career-worst 28.2 percent from beyond the arc.
    • He had seven points (3-13 FG, 1-7 3PT, 0-2 FT) with seven rebounds (one offensive), seven assists, three steals, a block, and +8 plus-minus.
    • His seven assists were a team-high.
    • His three steal were a game-high tied with Piston’s Tobias Harris.
    • His one block was a team-high tied with four other Rockets.
• Boston Celtics defeated Milwaukee Bucks, 113-107.
  • Drew Peterson (Libertyville) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
• Indiana Pacers defeated New York Knicks, 132-121.
  • Jalen Brunson (Stevenson) was four rebounds shy off a triple-double in the loss.
    • Brunson played 41 minutes with 33 points (11-17 FG, 1-2 3PT, 10-11 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists, three turnovers, and a -8 plus-minus.
    • His 33 points were a team-high.
    • His 10 assists were a team-high.
• Orlando Magic defeated Washington Wizards, 121-94.
  • Richaun Holmes (Lockport) did not played due to a coach’s decision.
• Miami Heat defeated Minnesota Timberwolves, 95-94.
  • Terrence Shannon Jr. (Lincoln Park) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
• Denver Nuggets defeated Dallas Mavericks, 122-120.
  • Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Lake Forest Academy) scored two points (1-2 FG), grabbed an offensive rebound, and finished with a -13 plus-minus.
    • His -13 plus-minus was a game-worst tied with Denver’s Russell Westbrook.
• Memphis Grizzlies defeated Portland Trail Blazers, 134-89.
  • Memphis opened the bench and played their 12-men roster which include John Konchar (West Chicago).
    • Konchar had four points (2-5 FG, 0-3 3PT), six rebounds (one offensive), an assist, a block, turnover, and a +14 plus-minus in 23 minutes off the bench.
• Los Angeles Lakers defeated Toronto Raptors, 123-103.
  • Anthony Davis (Perspectives) tied a season-low in points (22) in the win.
    • Davis had 22 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3PT, 8-10 FT), four rebounds (one offensive), three assists, a steal, two blocks, and a team-worst -3 plus-minus in 26 minutes.
      • His two blocks were a game-high.
  • Max Christie (Rolling Meadows) had three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3PT), a rebound, a steal, and a zero plus-minus in two minutes.