Duke Blue Devils and projected no.1 overall pick Jahill Okafor has already made what everybody expected from the start, announcing his intention to join the 2015 NBA Draft after just one year in college.

Okafor's decision to enter the draft allowed him to forego the final three years of college basketball eligibility and jump right to the professional league at the age of 19.

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He's highly touted as the most refined offensive big man in the 2015 NBA Draft Class, which already includes seven underclassmen from the University of Kentucky team that went 38-0 before falling to National Championship runner-up Wisconsin in the Final Four semis.

"As early as I can remember, I've fantasized and dreamed of the day that I could play professional basketball," Okafor said regarding his decision to go pro via NBC Sports. "I recall at the age of six, promising my mom and dad that when I made it to the NBA I would buy them both different colored trucks. They would laugh with me in support and encouraged me to dream big and work hard. With that being said and now at the age of 19, my dream is still alive!"

With Okafor already throwing his name in June's Draft, it's interesting what would be his placing on the draft board after helping the Blue Devils win their fifth National Championship a week ago. According to reports, Okafor is locked to be a top-2 pick with Wildcats power forward Karl-Anthony Towns getting the other nod.

The New York Knicks (15-63) currently hold the worst record in the league, giving them the most ping-pong ball in the upcoming draft lottery. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic also have chance to land the no.1 overall pick, while the Lakers are believed to be interested in using their top pick for Okafor.

Chad Ford of ESPN even cited the Lakers' desire to acquire Okafor if he's still available in the draft, as general manager Mitch Kupchack and Buss family look to add another big man to the list of talented behemoths that played for the purple-and-gold organization.

 "If they finish with the worst record in the league, Okafor is a slam dunk for them. Their best and only big man is Jordan Hill, and he's a far cry from Okafor. For a team that has a long legacy of elite big men - from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Shaquille O'Neal to Andrew Bynum (OK, not so much Bynum) - the Lakers would love to have a young front line of Okafor and Julius Randle. Okafor's closest competition I'm told is Mudiay, but it's not that close right now," according to Ford.

TagsLos Angeles Lakers, NBA rumors, Lakers rumors, Jahill Okafor, Duke Blue Devils