How Did Pascal Siakam Praise One of the NBA's Biggest Draft Busts?

Okafor was drafted third overall in 2015 by the Philadelphia 76ers. In his rookie season, he averaged a solid 17.5 points and seven rebounds, but between injuries and Joel Embiid's emergence as a star the next season, it was clear that he wasn't long for the Sixers.

He bounced around between Philly, the Brooklyn Nets, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Detroit Pistons, playing his last NBA game in 2021. He never found nearly as much success as expected and wound up playing in the Chinese, G, Spanish, and Puerto Rican leagues. 

However, after four years, he is back in the NBA, playing a very small role for the Pacers.

"He was one of the top players when I came in, so talented and obviously having a tough break and a lot of things, but he just kept fighting," praised Pascal Siakam. "That's all it's about. It's amazing that he's here with us. It's amazing to see him out there on the floor. Just because for me, I watched some of his post-ups and things like that. When he came up, like, he's super talented. So it's happy for him to be able to get that opportunity. It just kind of shows that if you keep working and keep fighting and keep battling, you get your chance."

Okafor is unlikely to play a large role once Turner returns and the Pacers might not even re-sign him to another 10-day contract after the first one is over, but Okafor has never given up on his NBA dream.