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[Saba Sports News] Former top-three draft pick Jahlil Okafor is getting another chance in the NBA.
The Indiana Pacers have signed Okafor to a training camp deal, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
At 6’11” and 275 pounds, Okafor could offer depth as a third-string center. The Pacers’ frontcourt includes Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and Isaiah Jackson, but while they have length and shot-blocking, they lack a true interior presence. Siakam, at 6’8″, led the team with just 7.8 rebounds per game last season.
Drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015, Okafor had a solid rookie season, averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds.
However, his NBA career soon stalled, and after two seasons with the Sixers, he bounced around the league.
Okafor last played for the Detroit Pistons during the 2020-21 season, posting 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 27 games. Since then, the 28-year-old has played in China and Spain’s Liga ACB.