Okafor, Sixers begin summer-league play

Jahlil Okafor hasn't played in a game that has mattered since his Duke team won the national championship in April, and he'll get his first chance to play with the Sixers at the Utah Summer League on Monday night.

After being selected third overall in the NBA draft, Okafor will start at center in his summer league debut against the San Antonio Spurs.

He'll be joined in the starting lineup by point guard T.J. McConnell, shooting guard Jordan McRae, small forward Jerami Grant and power forward Furkan Aldemir.

The Sixers will play Monday and Tuesday before wrapping up in Utah against the Jazz on Thursday.

Then the Sixers will play in the Las Vegas Summer League, starting against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

"I'm not trying to show people anything," Okafor said after practice Sunday. "I'm just trying to play with my teammates, win some games and get better."

Also on the team's Utah roster are Richaun Holmes (Bowling Green) and J.P. Tokoto (North Carolina), who were drafted in the second round this year. Deonte Burton (Nevada), Corey Hawkins (UC-Davis), Chavaughn Lewis (Marist), Derrick Marks (Boise State) and Jordan Railey (Washington State) round out the roster.

Billy Lange, a Sixers assistant who will coach the team in Utah, said he expects three players to share the point guard duties.

McConnell, who was signed to a partially guaranteed contract after going undrafted out of Arizona, will be joined at the point by Burton and McRae.