The NBA draft is approaching quickly. The superstars of the future will learn where they will take their talents to help boast an NBA Championship banner in their team's arena. In the past couple of weeks, players such as Frank Kamisky, Stanley Johnson, Kelly Oubre, the Harrison twins, and many more are in California training to prepare for the NBA combine. The combine is held from May 12 to 17 in Chicago where NBA scouts and coaches can evaluate who they will draft come June 25.
There is one player in attendance who is in different form since the college season. According to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, Jahlil Okafor is in phenomenal shape and is "as lean as I've ever seen him."
Okafor is projected to go second in the NBA draft after Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns. Seeing that Okafor is in top-notch shape raises the question whether or not he could jump Towns for the top overall pick if he exceeds expectations at the draft combine and in individual team workouts. Okafor was a force for Duke this year and is a main reason they were able to capture the National Championship as he averaged 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds. Last season, he weighed 270 which helped him dominate most big men in the collegiate ranks.
With more big men in the NBA being able to play out on the perimeter, the fact that Okafor is becoming leaner is only good news. It will make him more versatile, while also being able to move quickly. When it comes down to it, if an NBA team wants an immediate impact player who can be a franchise big man, Okafor is the way to go.