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Okafor impresses on first day of practice

Jahlil Okafor drew praise from one of his new coaches after his first minicamp workout for summer league play. The 76ers' new cornerstone on Thursday displayed the characteristics of someone destined to be a fan favorite.

Jahlil Okafor speaks to the media after practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 2, 2015. (MICHAEL PRONZATO/Staff Photographer)
Jahlil Okafor speaks to the media after practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 2, 2015. (MICHAEL PRONZATO/Staff Photographer)Read more

Jahlil Okafor drew praise from one of his new coaches after his first minicamp workout for summer league play.

The 76ers' new cornerstone on Thursday displayed the characteristics of someone destined to be a fan favorite.

"He did excellent today," said Sixers assistant Billy Lange, who will coach the team's Utah Jazz Summer League squad. "His energy was great. He looks you in the eye. He's coachable. He's engaged with his teammates. He asks the right questions. He's humble.

"And he's exactly what you would want him to be on the first day."

At 6-foot-11 and 270 pounds, Okafor has a low-post presence that no doubt stood out to Lange.

The third overall pick in the NBA draft averaged 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds and made 66 percent of his shots this past season at Duke. He was the first freshman in Atlantic Coast Conference history to be named the league's player of the year.

But Lange said something else stood out the most about the 19-year-old.

"His selflessness," Lange said. "Whether it was in drills, communicating to players, passing the ball, encouraging teammates."

The Chicago native's work ethic has to be a close second.

Okafor remained in Philadelphia after his introductory news conference Saturday. He woke up every morning at 6 and worked out at 6:30 at the team's practice facility at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Okafor also made the rounds of his new hometown. He was spotted chatting with Sixers fans in Center City. Tuesday, he threw out the first pitch before the Phillies played the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park.

"It's been a lot of fun," Okafor said of being in Philadelphia. "I have my family here. I've been able to walk around Center City a little bit, talking to fans. They are so passionate. They are so ready to win.

"That's why you see me waking up at 6 and getting to the gym at 6:30. These fans really want to win."

Okafor will wear the No. 8 jersey. That number became available when point guard Tony Wroten gave it up after the season.

"There's really no reason," Okafor said about picking the number. "I just texted my friends, 'What number should I choose?' Obviously, I wore 15 in college, but that was retired here [in honor of Hal Greer]. They all thought No. 8 would be cool.

"Then I learned that No. 8 is a lucky number in China. But that was after I chose the jersey."

Grant beefs up. Jerami Grant has gained 10 pounds of muscle since the end of the season. The 6-foot-8 second-year forward is up 220 pounds.

@PompeyOnSixers

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