Duke freshman declares for NBA draft

Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor surprised virtually no one on Thursday when he announced that he’ll enter the 2015 NBA Draft.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski supported Okafor’s choice to leave college after one season.

“What a great decision,” Krzyzewski said in a release. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Jahlil and he has earned it.”

Okafor helped Duke win its fifth national championship on Monday night with a 68-63 victory over Wisconsin in Indianapolis in the final.

The 6-foot-11 Okafor was named Duke’s 16th first-team All-America and became the first freshman selected as ACC player of the year as a freshman. He averaged 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds and shot 66 percent from the field.

“As early as I can remember, I’ve fantasized and dreamed of the day that I could play professional basketball,” Okafor said. “I recall at the age of 6, promising my mom and dad that when I made it to the NBA I would buy them both different colored trucks. They would laugh with me in support and encouraged me to dream big and work hard.

“With that being said and now at the age of 19, my dream is still alive.”

Other NBA Draft entrants from Duke after their freshman seasons include Corey Maggette (1999), Luol Deng (2004), Kyrie Irving (2011), Austin Rivers (2012) and Jabari Parker (2014).

“Obviously, (Okafor) has done an incredible job here at Duke and he will always be a part of our Duke basketball family,” Krzyzewski said. “We could not be happier for he and his family.”