Jahlil Okafor is projected to be selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015 NBA Draft on Thursday, which will give him the opportunity to play alongside Kobe Bryant.
While most players in the league are reportedly not fond of playing with Bryant, Okafor made it no secret that he is ready to play and learn from the 36-year-old superstar starting next season.
"I think I can learn a ton," Okafor told Pro Basketball Talk when asked about playing with Bryant. "He's been in the NBA a while, he came into the league early. I think he was younger than me when he came into the league so I want to pick his brain and learn as much as I can."
Okafor, who led the Duke Blue Devils to an NCAA national title this year and was the consensus of Freshman of the Year awardee, is in play for the first overall pick in the draft. However, most NBA analysts are convinced the Minnesota Timberwolves will go for Karl-Anthony Towns when they make their pick on Thursday.
Barring a trade, the Lakers are expected to pick Okafor, who averaged 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds on top of 1.4 blocks and 1.3 assists in his lone season at Duke.
Okafor worked out twice for the Lakers over the past several weeks. The Chicago, Illinois native said that both workouts went well and he was impressed with the Lakers organization.
"I like the staff, I like the coaches, I like Mitch Kupchak, It was a great vibe," said Okafor, who expressed belief that he will be a good fit to the Lakers, who are looking to rebuild after coming off the worst season in franchise history.
Okafor is viewed as the most NBA-ready prospect this year as most scouts believe he can contribute on both ends of the floor immediately, unlike Towns, who will likely need few more years under his belt to make great impact.
Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in an interview with ESPN Radio's The Herd with Colin Cowherd that Okafor has a great chance to become a superstar in the league. The multi-titled head coach also insisted that his former player is the best prospect in the 2015 NBA Draft.
"He's going to be a high double-double guy in the pros," Krzyzewski said, referring to Okafor. "He's gifted. He's got feet and hands that you can't teach. He's got an attitude that's amazing. I think he's the best player in the draft."
