CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor's voice sounds exactly like it should -- thunderous and low, sometimes inaudible when the bass gets really low.
The 6-foot-10 center with enormous hands and body of a 10-year NBA veteran -- belying his 18 years of age -- is mean on the basketball court.
Okafor is physical, tough and imposing. His huge hands make it so that he can hold a basketball one-handed away from an opponent swatting at it helplessly, and he often uses that leverage to buy time in the post -- before making basket move or stealth pass to a wide-open teammate.
As machine-like and efficient -- and cold-blooded -- as he can be on the court, Okafor's almost as sweet and unassuming off of it, according to those who know him best.
"He likes his cookies and milk, Oreos and milk. He dunks them in the milk. He's just a big kid at heart, like all of us, like we all are," says fellow freshman Justise Winslow. "That's the great thing about college. We're all just so comfortable around each other that sometimes we embarrass each other or embarrass ourselves. Jah's just a great guy to be around."
His teammates all say that Okafor has a goofy sense of humor, sometimes illustrated by a big grin. That smile is seemingly contagious, as well.
"He can be friends with anyone, I think, just because he can relate to different people, and he tries to. He broadens his horizons," says Duke junior captain Amile Jefferson. "And he's so funny that who wouldn't want to be around him?"
Okafor is different in other ways, too. He is best friends with fellow freshman Tyus Jones -- the two swore they would attend college together, and upheld that pact -- and Jones said his friend loves watching animal documentaries on the Discovery Channel.
A number of his teammates confirmed that.
"I just always liked animals. I've just always had a love for animals," Okafor said, when confronted about it. "My favorite movies all involve animals, like (The) Lion King, Air Bud. Growing up, my favorite movies always involved animals."
Everyone has different interests. Winslow found Okafor's enjoyment of the TV show Spartacus the most bizarre.
But almost every other teammate mentioned how odd they found it that Okafor always listens to smooth R&B to get ready for games, like John Legend or Alicia Keys.
"Who told you that?" Okafor said suspiciously when asked. "That's true. I listen to some John Legend. Dang, they threw me out there."
But he couldn't help but grin.
Those are just oddities about Okafor's personality, though.
As one of the biggest stars in the country, Okafor could justifiably have an enormous ego. Sometimes, a star freshman can wreck the chemistry of a team. Instead, he's helped knit this one closer together.
"He's my best friend, so I know him better than anybody. He's always high-energy, an upbeat guy. He always brightens up the room," Tyus Jones said. "It's cliche to say, but when you're around him, it's just a better energy."
He's sensitive beyond his years, too. More than one of his teammates have said that he senses when they're in a bad mood and always wants to help snap them out of it.
"Jahlil's really considerate," says Marshall Plumlee. "He's always looking out, making sure guys are up when they might be down. So it's great to have a teammate like that that's always picking you up."
"He's very unselfish. He'd give you the shirt off his back. I know firsthand -- we wear the same size shoe and he helps me out all the time in that department. Very unselfish, very down to earth, especially considering how talented he is."
And he's not too good to do big favors for his teammates, either.
Another freshman, Grayson Allen, has been struggling with a lingering illness. Not long after the ACC Player of the Year was named as such, Okafor brought Allen some chicken noodle soup.
"I've never been around the type of person like that. He's really sensitive, caring. He really cares for us on the team. I know for example when I was sick, he went and got soup for me," Allen said. "He's a really caring guy. I don't think people would guess that when you step on the court and see how serious he is."
Okafor is two different people on and off the court, as a lot of athletes tend to be. But the person he is off the court doesn't betray a hint of what he is on it.
And yet, his kind spirit off the court is part of what's made this Duke team as close-knit as it has become.
"He's one of the best guys I know in the whole world," Winslow said.
