Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown has claimed that Jahlil Okafor is going through the "hardest time of his life" following the recent controversies surrounding the rookie.

Okafor picked up a suspension after being involved in an altercation with a heckler outside a Boston nightclub last month, while also recently being caught speeding in Philadelphia.

Brown concedes that the 19-year-old has been affected by the extra attention while attempting to find his best form on the court.

"He's gone through a hell of a hard time," Brown told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I'm sure the hardest time of his life.

"To think that's not going to impact how you play in front of 18,000 people and go be on national TV again and go put yourself out there where you are scrutinized on your performance is quite naive, I think."

Okafor is averaging 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds this season.