Jahlil Okafor signs 10-day contract with Indiana
Chris Haynes: Perseverance Update: Former lottery pick Jahlil Okafor — who hasn't played in the NBA in nearly four years — will sign a 10-day contract with the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell me.
Source: x.com
Scott Agness: Jahlil Okafor and Keisei Tominaga of the Indiana Mad Ants were selected for the G League Up Next game at All-Star Weekend 2025 in San Francisco on Feb. 16. -via Twitter @ScottAgness / January 29, 2025
Jahlil Okafor is hopeful that if he keeps showing good signs with the Mad Ants, they won't be able to help but notice. "I just wanted to put myself in position to give myself a shot to get back to the NBA," Okafor said last week after posting 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a loss to the Iowa Wolves. "... Just based off what I've seen -- this is my 10th year playing professionally -- I know the G League is one of the best routes back to the NBA. Especially if teams aren't calling, this is one of the best ways to be in front of their face 24-7." -via NBA.com / November 20, 2024
He does acknowledge that the game is headed the opposite direction though, so he is looking for 3-point opportunities and is 1 of 7 from beyond the arc this season. "I've tried to still maintain what I do well and not try to venture off from that," Okafor said. "But I still work on my shot because everything to the 3-point line. At the same time I'm trying to stay true to who I am and what I do well. I think it's still extremely valuable. Anybody who is able to put the ball in the hole at a high percentage is extremely valuable. ' -via NBA.com / November 20, 2024
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jahlil Okafor signs 10-day contract with Indiana
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Knicks' Jalen Brunson talks firing of Tom Thibodeau, what former coach has meant to his career
It's been more than a week since the Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, and while the basketball world and players like Josh Hart have voiced their thoughts on the job Thibodeau has done for the team, we haven't heard from team captain Jalen Brunson. Brunson was very close to Thibodeau, with his father Rick Brunson working as Thibodeau's assistant with the Bulls, Timberwolves and Knicks. When the Knicks were ousted from the NBA Playoffs after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brunson defended his coach when asked about Thibodeau's ability to get this team over the top. Advertisement However, the organization decided to go in a different direction and Brunson has finally spoken for the first time after the decision on the June 12 episode of the Roommates Show, his podcast with Hart. Both players spoke about the firing and what Thibodeau meant to them. 'We want to give a shoutout to Thibs, man, you know, especially for myself,' Hart started. 'He helped make me into the player I am. I had a lot of instability in the early part of my career and he gave me that stability and that opportunity to flourish as a player in the league, a starter in the league, so I'm always going to be forever grateful for him. "This is always a tough part of the NBA because you grow relationships not just on the court but off the court and personal relationships, so I always got love for him. It's always tough when there's a coaching change." Brunson, who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and only had a coach change on him once when Rick Carlisle resigned to sign with the Pacers, so this is uncharted territory for the All-Star guard. Brunson chose to highlight what Thibodeau has done for his career since signing with New York. Advertisement 'This is my first firing. Obviously, I've known him my entire life, but I remember having conversations and moments with him in 8th grade when we moved to Chicago. And to see where he helped me become two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA. The things he's done for me individually, I'm so grateful for," Brunson said. "He had that confidence in me that I knew I had, but it's great to see someone push me to be better…. to have Thibs, and to do what he did for my career, I'm so grateful and thankful for. Not enough things can be said about what he's meant to myself and my career.' When both were asked if they had any inkling that the firing would happen or if Thibodeau was on the hot seat, Hart who has had multiple coaching changes in his eight-year career, put it best. "We had a really good year. It didn't end how we wanted it to end. Sometimes when the season doesn't end the way you expect it to, there's always changes. Whether that's coaches, players," Hart said. "Thibs is my sixth coach in eight years. The NBA coaching profession is tough. Whenever you don't finish the way you expect, there's always gonna be changes. That one was a tough one. There should be nothing but praise for him and his time in New York.' 'I agree. 100 percent,' Brunson responded. Advertisement Thibodeau joined the Knicks ahead of the 2019-20 season, and in five seasons, he amassed a 226-174 record in the regular season, going 24-23 in the playoffs. He coached the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons, had back-to-back 50-win seasons and took New York to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Whoever becomes the next coach of the Knicks will have big shoes to fill. "[Thibodeau] took that job when the Knicks were just buns," Hart, who was traded to the Knicks in 2023, said. "They were 20 wins. He got that job for five years, made the playoffs in four years, first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. He helped Knicks basketball go back to the top level in the league. He should get a lot of credit for the foundation that he built."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Magic Johnson Saddened by Passing of Former UCLA Star and NBA Champion
Magic Johnson Saddened by Passing of Former UCLA Star and NBA Champion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The basketball world is mourning the loss of former UCLA Bruins standout David Greenwood, who passed away this week at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer. He passed away in Riverside, California. Advertisement A member of legendary coach John Wooden's final recruiting class, Greenwood was selected No. 2 overall in the 1979 NBA draft — one spot after the Los Angeles Lakers chose Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson. Greenwood went on to have a 12-year NBA career, playing for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and the Detroit Pistons, where he was part of the team's 1990 NBA Championship run. Following the news of his passing, Johnson shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing his sorrow over the loss of his fellow draft classmate. "I'm sorry to hear the news about the passing of David Greenwood," Johnson said. "David Greenwood and I were drafted picks 1 and 2 in the 1979 NBA Draft. I'm praying for the Greenwood family and all of his loved ones. Rest in Peace David!" Greenwood was a two-time Conference Player of the Year at UCLA and played a pivotal role in leading the Bruins to the Final Four in 1976. He earned All-American honors in both his junior and senior seasons, becoming the first UCLA player to do so since the legendary Bill Walton, who achieved the distinction from 1972 to 1974. Advertisement Before the arrival of Michael Jordan, Greenwood was a cornerstone for the Chicago Bulls franchise. He later joined the San Antonio Spurs after being traded in exchange for Hall of Famer George Gervin. David Greenwood (34) in college.© Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images David Greenwood is survived by his two children, Jemil and Tiffany, his former wife Joyce, his brother Al, and his sister Laverne. Related: Magic Johnson Names Greatest Player in NBA History Without Hesitation This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Daniel Carlson Breaks Silence on Giving up Jersey Number to Ashton Jeanty
Daniel Carlson Breaks Silence on Giving up Jersey Number to Ashton Jeanty originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After averaging a league-worst 79.8 yards per game on the ground last year, the Las Vegas Raiders splurged on running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Advertisement Jeanty, who ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024, was nicknamed "Deuce" while at Boise State because he wore No. 2 on his jersey. Unfortunately, that number belonged to Raiders' All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson when he was drafted. However, Carlson ultimately gave up the uniform number to the rookie shortly after the draft. Jeanty admitted on an episode of Up & Adams that he paid a hefty price to buy the number off the veteran. Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty (2).Candice Ward-Imagn Images Carlson recently broke his silence on the matter, however, when he spoke to the media on Tuesday. He talked about his initial impressions of Jeanty and how the negotiation process went. Advertisement "I mean, just a high character guy, so it was really easy," Carlson said. "I wouldn't even call it a negotiation necessarily. Just a couple discussions, you know, it was super great. And I mean, everything I've seen on the field so far, I'm no expert, but he looks the part for sure." When one reporter tried to figure out exactly how much Jeanty sent him, Carlson had a tongue and cheek response. "No, no new cars," Carlson laughed. Carlson is looking to rebound this season after making just 85.0% of his field goals in 2024, which was his lowest mark since his second year in 2019. He earned back-to-back All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2022, but he has not reached that level in two years. Advertisement Perhaps his changing back to the No. 8 will rejuvenate Carlson and allow him to leave the 2024 season in the past. Jeanty, by that same token, will be looking to give new life to the No. 2 in 2025. Related: Ashton Jeanty Receives 4-Word Message From Raiders OL Jackson Powers-Johnson Related: Raiders Reportedly Using Ashton Jeanty in Unique Role at OTAs Related: Raiders Legend Tim Brown Drops Surprising Player Comparison for Ashton Jeanty This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
