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2016 NBA Rookie Rankings: Where did Mario Hezonja Finish?

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers
Feb 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) dunks against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jahlil Okafor

Previous Rank: 3

Admittedly, Jahlil Okafor falls to No. 4 mostly because of injury. He had to sit out the end of the season due to a torn meniscus. He also battled off-court issues early in the season, and that puts a slight damper on an otherwise good season for the No. 3 overall pick.

Sam Hinkie resigned in Philadelphia, so perhaps we will not see Okafor dealt after all. The Sixers need to realize the talent they drafted and proceed to build around it — or pray Joel Embiid can finally play a game.

He is an explosive enough scorer to carry a team, and though the Sixers had a horrible season, Okafor was hardly the cause of it. It was a case of a player having a great season on a horrible team, simply.

Philadelphia won just 10 games this season. But the 4/5 tandem that was Okafor and Nerlens Noel functioned pretty well. Okafor averaged 17.5 points, seven rebounds and 1.57 blocks/steals per game this season. His defense clearly needs a lot of work, but there is always a place for a guy that can score on the blocks.

His game may have been better suited in a more big-man oriented era, however general managers salivate at having a guy at the 5 who can draw double teams and get guys open looks.

Okafor will draw doubles, and if the Sixers can surround him with better shooting, his 1.4 assists will probably nearly triple.

Philadelphia had the look of a real team when it was at its best, but those times were pretty infrequent and often still resulted in losses. Philadelphia still likely should have kept Michael Carter-Williams, because Ish Smith is a borderline D-Leaguer thrust into a situation which allowed him to attempt 14.8 field goals per game.

All those problems aside, Okafor had a great rookie season on his own merits.

Next: Pressure for a rook