When the Philadelphia 76ers selected Duke big man Jahlil Okafor with the No. overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft just a few weeks ago, many fans were left scratching their heads. Yes, the talent was all there, but Okafor was joining a team that already had taken big man in the top five of the last two drafts and were desperate for players at literally every other position. But before the draft, GM Sam Hinkie assured fans that he would take the best available player no matter their position, and when the Los Angeles Lakers took D’Angelo Russell at the No. 2 spot, Okafor was the next best thing.

After having an awkward exchange with a jersey when he and the other Sixers draft picks were unveiled to the fans, Okafor made his much anticipated NBA debut on Monday night in a Summer League game against the San Antonio Spurs.

It was tale of two halves for the 6-foot-11, 270-pound big man. The first half was ugly, as he went 3-for-11 from the field and honestly looked a little overwhelmed by the moment itself. When the second half tipped off it looked like a totally different player in the No. 8 uniform for the Sixers. He shot 7-for-11 in the final two quarters and finished the game with a solid 20-point, nine-rebound two-block stat line.

While the numbers were impressive, it was also the way in which Okafor got his buckets that had to make Sixers fans perk up in their seats. For someone who was supposed to be a strictly on the block player Okafor, showcased a wide range of jumpers, layups and strong moves to the basket that he clearly has been perfecting since the National Championship game in April. Also, Okafor displayed a real talent for finishing in traffic. When he put the ball on the floor and drew contact at the rim, he still had the wherewithal to complete the play.

The one knock on Okafor was his free throw shooting, and on Monday night he wasn’t able to convert any of his four attempts. It was his first taste of NBA level competition, so you have to think that the free throw shooting will improve as Okafor simply gets more time in the gym.

The most exciting part of the entire debut actually came postgame when Okafor was asked by reporters what grade he would give himself on his performance that night. “C-minus” he said without hesitation, a response that made sense for Okafor as he has also been known as his toughest critic.

With top three draft pick from last year, Joel Embiid, sidelined for the foreseeable future with his foot injury, Okafor looks like he could fill in nicely next to defensive tactician Nerlens Noel in the Sixers’ frontcourt. There probably won’t be many wins again this year, but the organization may have just found the missing piece to bringing one of the most recognizable brands in the NBA back to relevancy.

Douglas Ammon is an NBA Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Who covers all things about the Association, follow him on Twitter @DA76er