Coach K: 'Don't Characterize Okafor Based On Recent Actions'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Jahlil Okafor was suspended two games on Wednesday following the release of a second video of his fight outside of a Boston night club.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski defended Okafor, who spent one season at Duke University before being drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
"Jah is one of the greatest kids ever. Ever, ever, ever, ever," Krzyzewski said after Duke's game on Wednesday night via ESPN.com. "He did a couple of stupid things, and so knock him for it. Suspend him, but let's move on. Make him learn from it, but don't characterize him based on that. He's a special, special kid."
Those "stupid things" Okafor has done include fighting outside of a Boston night club, speeding, and being involved in an altercation where a gun was pointed at his head.
The Sixers center, who turns 20 on December 15th, has an average annual salary of $4,685,760.
"He got into a situation, and he made a mistake, but they also need to have security," Krzyzewski continued. "When we are with the U.S. team, everybody has security because they're targets. But he's got to be smart, and he was not."
Okafor leads all NBA rookies averaging 17.6 points per game this season.
