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Whitney Young's Principal Celebrates Jahlil Okafor's NCAA Title With a Hug

 Jahlil Okafor #15 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63.
Jahlil Okafor #15 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63.
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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHICAGO — Whitney Young's principal couldn't be more proud of the school's first basketball national champion, Jahlil Okafor.

Okafor's 10 points helped Duke beat Wisconsin 68-63 on Monday as the star freshman became the first Dolphins hoops player to claim a Division I championship.

"He is an outstanding young man without basketball, and I wish him well," said Whitney Young Principal Joyce Kenner via email Monday afternoon.

Kenner attended both of Duke's games in Indianapolis, saying she was "honored." She said after the Blue Devils' championship victory, she got a hug from Okafor.

"The family reached out to make sure I was included," Kenner said. "I honestly feel they are so grateful to us for providing the nurturing environment we did.

"When Jahlil saw me after the game he hugged me so tight I felt his love and appreciation."

Okafor was named to the Associated Press' All-America first team. He's expected to be selected first overall in June's NBA draft.

Last month, Whitney Young basketball coach Tyrone Slaughter predicted Okafor would lead Duke to a title and he had nothing left to prove in college.

"At the end of the day, there's very little to be gained from him staying," Slaughter said. "When you look at the dominance he's displayed at the collegiate level, there's challenges ahead of him, not behind him."

Kenner said the school does not plan to have a celebration for Okafor.

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