Okafor cool, calm before debut
It was hard to tell that Jahlil Okafor was hours away from his first summer-league appearance as a 76er.
SALT LAKE CITY – It was hard to tell that Jahlil Okafor was hours away from his first summer-league appearance as a 76er.
The third overall pick in last month's NBA draft was as calm as a 15-year veteran during Monday's post-shootaround media availability at EnergySolutions Arena. The Sixers will open the Utah Jazz Summer League against the San Antonio Spurs at 7 p.m.
The 6-foot-11, 270-pounder center out of Duke was asked if he had butterflies.
"Nah, I'm good," Okafor said. "I feel ready."
He added that his only goals were to "win and have fun with his teammates."
"I don't really get caught up in [statistics]," Okafor said. "I just want to win."
The Chicago native's cool swagger was in full effect leading up to the first big moment of his pro career. That could be great for the Sixers and their fans.
"It's definitely not borderline on arrogance," said Sixers assistant Billy Lange, who will coach the team in Utah. "I think he's solid as a person. So he just doesn't get too up or too down. Then again, I've only been around him for one week.
"Again, [he's] 19 years old. Think about the things that we liked at 19. Just wanted to be around our friends and play basketball."
Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and Instagram at PompeyOnSixers