NBA Top-10 Rookie Rankings: Has Mario Hezonja Moved Up?

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Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. The Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jahlil Okafor

Last Rank: 4

Jahlil Okafor seems to have settled down following his off-court problems earlier in the season. He has played very well in the Philadelphia 76ers’ last eight games entering Wednesday’s games, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks/steals per game. Okafor has been slightly better protecting the rim than most expected he would, and he seems to be maturing and learning from his mistakes.

It is hard to ignore the raw results, 17 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor. And he is doing that on a Sixers team pretty devoid of playmakers.

Okafor will only be better when the Sixers provide him with a premiere floor general to set him up. In the Sixers’ 103-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 6, Okafor had 22 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks.

Those type of nights may become regular for a guy whose offensive skill-set and back to the basket repertoire is tops in his class.

Next: Serious Southpaw