Duke's Okafor turning pro
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Durham, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Duke star Jahlil Okafor, who helped lead the Blue Devils to the national championship on Monday night, announced Thursday that he will forgo his final three seasons of eligibility and declare for the 2015 NBA draft.
Okafor arrived in Durham as one of the most polished big men to ever leave the high school ranks and didn't disappoint in his lone season under coach Mike Krzyzewski. The 6-foot-11 center out of Chicago was a consensus first team All-America selection for the 35-4 Blue Devils after posting averages of 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on 66.4 percent shooting.
"My freshman year has been an amazing experience to say the least," Okafor said. "With Coach K's and my family's blessing I will be fulfilling my life- long dream and proudly entering my name into the NBA draft."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Okafor was also named the National Freshman of the Year, as well as ACC Player and Freshman of the Year.
"What a great decision!" added Krzyzewski.
Once seen as the consensus No. 1 pick, Okafor is expected to contend for a Top-3 selection in the draft on June 26. He will join recent Duke one-and- dones Kyrie Irving and Jabari Parker, who were selected No. 1 and 2 in 2011 and 2014, respectively.