Im looking forward to it. He looked to be a very promising young player. He holds both Nigerian and US citizenship; his application for British citizenship was turned down in December 2007 due to problems with the immigration status of his parents at the time of his birth. On July 7, the Warriors re-signed him. Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983) is an English/American former professional basketball player. [1] Azubuike finished his prep career with 3,530 points, 89 points short of the all-time state scoring mark. Azubuike takes the job at a fascinating point in Warriors history. No, that would be wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again. [6] Playing for Fort Worth of the Development League again, Azubuike averaged 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.17 steals, and a league-best 26.0 points in 37.7 minutes per contest, shooting 51.4% from the field and 48.5% from three-point range over twelve games. Andre Iguodala might be free next season if he hasnt achieved his final form as an NFT. Absolute legend. For the 20172018 season, Kansas' coach Bill Self recruited Kansas football player James Sosinski to defend Azubuike during practice. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team to come back after being down 3-1 in the NBA Finals and win Game 7 (2016). Gambling problem? But when youre doing color commentary, youre reacting on the spot. After playing on the Golden State squad that upset Dallas in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, Azubuike averaged 13.9 points through the first nine games of the 2009-10 season under then . Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. He finished the season averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. Others are cautiously optimistic that by 2029 or so, Fitzgerald and Azubuike will really start to gel and find their rhythm. He shot nearly 50% from three-point range, something that Don Nelson really liked. Azubuike was selected with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. Lex 18 caught up with Kelenna this weekend to see how is handling life after . To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. His comments on myself and Facu were beyond disrespectful. He always comes equipped with the latest talking points from on high. They nearly replaced him after the 2013-14 season, when his contract expired. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. [20], On April 20, 2018, Azubuike announced his intention to enter the 2018 NBA draft. Oops. [1], In April 2005, Azubuike announced his plans to enter the draft after his junior year, signing with agent Joel Bell and ending his college eligibility. In Azubuike's defense, he is very eager to point out split-action or a nice hesitation (hesi) move and is always cognizant when someone achieves Beast Mode (and occasionally God Mode). [29], On April 22, 2019, Azubuike announced he would return to Kansas for his senior season. In his freshman season he started in six of the 11 games he played in before tearing ligaments in his left wrist, which ended his season. Im very grateful for everything Ive had over the years. [30] According to KU coach Bill Self, Were all very excited about Udoka making the decision not to enter the [NBA] draft. After that, Fitzgerald and Azubuike laughed while they mocked the accent of the Argentinian Campazzo. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child. [1] He was the top scorer in the state of Oklahoma during his last three seasons of high school, averaging 28.5 points as a sophomore and 38.7 points as a junior. His presence will add a new dimension to our TV broadcasts and we are thrilled with the addition., Barnett said of Azubuike, I really mean this: Im so happy its Kelenna and not someone else. We've received your submission. Im ecstatic. The paths of KD and Kyrie: How one month changed three franchises and two superstar legacies, Morant to miss two games after video with gun, Curry, Iguodala probable to return vs. Lakers, Grizzlies' Clarke tore Achilles, out for season, 'Not going out this way': Nets, down 28, stun C's, Kerr touts 5-0 homestand: Dubs 'turned a corner', KD: Mavs tilt, Kyrie meeting 'just another game', Sources: Dragic joining Bucks for rest of season, Nets filling out big-man depth with Noel signing. From Sleepy Floyds incredible playoff performance in 1987 to our most recent stretch that has included three championships and five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, his outstanding work has been an everyday staple on the airwaves., [RELATED: Where Livingston wants to end career after Warriors release]. Warriors replace Jim Barnett with Kelenna Azubuike as TV color analyst, How much are the Warriors worth? He was having a stellar offensive season in 2009-10 before he ruptured his patella tendon in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. [18] He was awarded All-Big 12 third team by the conference's coaches[19] and second team by the AP. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the leagues Western Conference, Northwest Division. And Im grateful to the Warriors, to (co-owners) Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for giving me this opportunity. Kelenna Azubuike, a member of the We Believe Warriors of 2006-07, is joining the squad as an analyst working alongside longtime NBC Sports Bay Area play-by-man voice Bob Fitzgerald. Heres who has offered big bucks so far. You know, he might just be the perfect guy to take on the team ambassador role, whatever that means. Exclusive: Stunning photos show Yosemite National Park under 15 feet of Warriors treating Andrew Wiggins with understandable patience, but his James Wiseman, leadership genius? [2] Azubuike was a four-year starter averaging 16.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game his senior year. Azubuike was born in London, England, to Nigerian parents Kenneth and Chi Azubuike. This pairing does create one potential problem, though hardly an insurmountable one: instead of two hype-men, we may now be subject to a sensory overload of excellent anecdotes and play deconstructions, but no one to describe the action (which again, we can see with our eyes). I consent to the use of following cookies: Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. Fitzgeralds homerism isnt the genuine, charming if sort of silly homerism of a drunk but passionate fan. He excelled in his first season in the D-League, collecting All D-League honours while leading his team to the championship, which they lost to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. He had his own perspective, his own point of view, his own firsthand wisdom from his playing days that he was able to distill brilliantly to the average viewer for the length of any random broadcast. Once they do that, then anything can happen.. He currently handles San Francisco 49ers preseason broadcasts and served as the play-by-play voice for the Arena Football Leagues San Jose SaberCats, an organization which is now defunct. [17] On 28 June 2012, during the 2012 NBA Draft, Azubuike was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On 17 November 2009, it was announced that Azubuike would miss the rest of the 200910 season after tearing his right patellar tendon in a game at the Milwaukee Bucks. "Utah Jazz take Kansas center Udoka Azubuike at No. 3 William Street Tranmere SA 5073; 45 Gray Street Tranmere SA 5073; 36 Hectorville Road, Hectorville, SA 5073; 1 & 2/3 RODNEY AVENUE, TRANMERE It gets Jessica Alba back in the building. [12], On 9 July 2010, Azubuike was traded to the New York Knicks along with Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and a future second-round pick in a sign and trade deal for David Lee. Yet a specter haunts Chase Center (and other assorted arenas) on the sidelines: Festooned to the team like an albatross is the bewildering broadcasting tandem of Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike. Rivers and the Nuggets (17-16) host the Warriors on Thursday. Azubuike was the first call-up of the D-League season. With Mickael Pietrus likely on the way out . [6] Azubuike played with the Denver Nuggets in the 2006 Toshiba Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 16.4 points and finished tied at tenth in the league in scoring. He was waived by the Knicks on 28 February 2011. Azubuike called himself a basketball junkie who loves talking about the game. He was not drafted, but played some preseason games for the Cleveland Cavaliers; he was waived at the end of the preseason and acquired by the Fort Worth Flyers. I was wronged!, The incident came just a week after Rivers had a pair of fans removed from aNuggets-Thunder game in Oklahoma City,after he said they were talking about [his] family the whole night.. Well, that varies from player to player, and Kelenna Azubuike, former New York Knick, realized this the hard way when Carmelo Anthony joined his then team and wanted to take the No. [18] He was waived by the Cavaliers on 14 October 2012. When the Warriors make their regular-season debut at Chase Center in October, there will be plenty of new faces, beginning with the teams roster. [24] On December 4, 2018, he severely sprained his right ankle against Wofford and missed the following four games. Approx. [9][10] Azubuike received offers from many universities including Duke, Texas, Kentucky, and shortened his final list of colleges to Florida State, Kansas, and North Carolina. Its also something that one doesnt really have to make the case for. You dont have to put on makeup.. [6] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? It resurrects a deep and abiding connection that was severed too early, too abruptly. Then You Haven't Met Kansas' Udoka Azubuike", Potters House hoops star Udoka Azubuike commits to Kansas, "Five-star UK target Azubuike a menace to rims", Josh Jackson and Udoka Azubuike impress at McDonald's All-American Game, Udoka Azubuike honored at first stop of the Jordan Brand Classic Senior Night Tour, Kansas commit Udoka Azubuike added to World Select Team at Nike Hoop Summit, Five-star basketball recruit Udoka Azubuike picks Kansas, Four-star center Udoka Azubuike commits to Kansas, KU freshman Udoka Azubuike out for the season with wrist injury, "Udoka Azubuike out for Big 12 Tournament, KU hopeful he can return for NCAAs", "Nigeria approves Udoka Azubuike's mother's visa to travel to USA", "A former KU center analyzes the game of Jayhawks big man Udoka Azubuike", "This decade, no player has done what KU's Udoka Azubuike just did", "Devont Graham, Bill Self take home coaches' All-Big 12 basketball awards", "Devont Graham, Bill Self win AP All-Big 12 awards", "Kansas' Udoka Azubuike entering draft without agent", "Udoka Azubuike withdraws from NBA Draft. Kelenna Azubuike was born on December 16, 1983 in England (39 years old). [1] He eventually became an All-State selection, averaging 39.1 points and 13.3 rebounds and leading his team to the Class 4A State Championship Game as a senior. Values are based on current season type (i.e. Austin Rivers is not happy with comments that the Golden State Warriors' broadcasting team made on Tuesday night. This is a carousel. Sports enterprise reporter Ron Kroichick has worked at The San Francisco Chronicle since 1995, when he came from The Sacramento Bee. The good news is its not as though Barnett has renounced calling Warriors games and embraced the life of a curmudgeonly hermit. The Dubs have won five straight and Stephs return is on the horizon! He got a big contract extension when, oh wait, his dad was the coach, said Fitzgerald. It is kind of whole new thing when compared with the studio. [3], He played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Georgia Stars in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Hes too noble for this kind of skullduggery. Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. Think this kinda funny especially since its coming from a guy who has never played a game of basketball in his life, Rivers wrote of Fitzgerald under an Instagram video highlighting the announcers remarks. But when youve fought your way into the league as an undrafted D-Leaguer and rehabilitated a bad knee for years, dealing with Bob Fitzgerald on a nightly basis is no big deal. The injury, plus a botched surgery that left his kneecap up against his quadriceps, ultimately ended his NBA career. Privacy Policy. Rivers, the son of veteran coach Doc Rivers . Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Kelenna and Rona exchanged their vows in a traditional Christian wedding ceremony. The Denver Nuggets are the only NBA team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit multiple times in the same year (2020). List of European basketball players in the United States, "Azubuike destined for greatness All the hoopla not just hype - this kid can play", "Ex-Cat Azubuike earning respect of NBA peers: KentuckySports.com", "SI.com NCAA Basketball UK's Morris remains in draft as deadline passes Tuesday June 21, 2005", "InsideHoops.com Kelenna Azubuike released by Houston Rockets", "WARRIORS: Warriors Sign Kelenna Azubuike to Contract", "Blow for Britain as London-born Kelenna Azubuike is denied passport Times Online", "Sources: Clips sign swingman Azubuike to three-year offer sheet NBA ESPN", "Warriors keep Azubuike, match Clippers' offer NBA ESPN", Warriors' Kelenna Azubuike out for the season, C.J. Azubuike then played for the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Development League, leading the league in scoring during the 200607 season and eventually being called up to play for the Golden State Warriors. Though Azubuikes style will differ a bit from that of Barnett a natural, given the generational gap one thing that wont change is honesty and objectivity. He is expected to practice with the Legends on Friday and could play for them as early as Saturday night against the Reno Bighorns at home, sources said. What ever happened to Kelenna Azubuike? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about small forward Kelenna Azubuike on ESPN. Seemed to work out alright., Azubuike asked, Are you saying there was some nepotism there? to which Fitzgerald said, Im just saying, if youre gonna give the money, might as well give it to your kid., Rivers continued to defend himself in his comment, writing, Do u know how many guys in league made more than me while not doing half as much?! And not to worry, Bob Fitzgerald wont be forcibly retired either. Hes found a workaround from being phased out, still plies his wisdom and his trademark avuncular wit on the radio side of things. A few (masochists) tolerate the pair, because yes, it does take a certain amount of toil for some people to get worked up about an NBA teams local broadcasting duo. 62. [2] In 2012, he caught the attention of recruiters with Basketball Without Borders and was offered a scholarship to play basketball in the United States. The Warriors ought to be an electrifying affair for both casuals and die-hards. How old is Udoka? Kelenna Azubuike looks like a completely different player than he did last summer. We think Kelenna is one of the bright, young stars in the broadcasting business, Warriors President Rick Welts said in a statement. [20] Since then, he has been assigned to announce 11 of the 19 NBA D-League games produced by NBA TV in 2016. While being a two-way player yet he called me overpaid?, Seems the Warriors announcers arent too fond of Austin Rivers pic.twitter.com/KL2yIIYfs0. And now Im going to work radio. Davis, despite his relatively short stint in the Bay Area, is very much beloved. Draymond Green (left) is introduced by Warriors analyst Jim Barnett at a press conference held to announce the re-signing of Green at the Warriors team practice facility in Oakland, California, on Thursday, July 9, 2015. As basically everyone who has ever been irritated with Fitzgerald on a nightly basis for years and years will grudgingly admit, hes a competent, even pretty good play-by-play guy. Rivers was at the free-throw line when Fitzgerald and Azubuike, who played five seasons in the NBA with the Warriors and Mavericks, struck up the conversation about his time in LA under his father, who is now head coach of the Sixers. The fit is wrong. 7 off his back . [16] On 20 April 2012, Azubuike played in his first NBA game since 14 November 2009, against the Golden State Warriors. Barnett spent 11 seasons as a guard in the NBA, including three with the Warriors, when he averaged 11.9 points per game. Azubuike will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. The season cant come fast enough., Where Livingston wants to end career after Warriors release. Golden State included him in the David Lee trade in 2010, but he didnt play a game for the New York Knicks. The second-year center suffered a right ankle sprain earlier this month while on assignment with the G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars. Williams played in only eight games with the Mavericks after leaving his team in Israel to sign with his hometown team on Dec. 21, averaging 3.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.1 minutes. Dok All-Time NCAA Leader in Field-Goal Percentage; KU Athletics; 3 February 2020. Rounding up all the Warriors and NBA news from around the web. Early life. Barnetts replacement, Azubuike, is a likeable guy (and Ive always admired his biceps) and also a competent in-studio analyst, but the synergy isnt there. [3] On January 28, 2016, he announced his choice to play college basketball at the University of Kansas.[11]. On 9 April 2012, he was recalled by the Mavericks. After the Warriors matched a multi-year contract offer from the Clippers in the summer of 2008 - perhaps out of anger about the Baron Davis signing - Azubuike started nearly the entire 2008-9 season, averaging 14.4 points per game and making 44.8% of his three-pointers. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. You know one of nicest things about working radio? Its more about what sort of homer you are. After playing on the Golden State squad that upset Dallas in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, Azubuike averaged 13.9 points through the first nine games of the 2009-10 season under then-Warriors coach Don Nelson when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Its more akin to Lacob-ism, and before that, Cohan-ism. Its even the sort of splashy move that would appeal to Lacobs Light Years brain. 1 college football recruit. [14] He returned for the NCAA tournament until KU's loss to eventual champion Villanova in the Final Four. Hes done an outstanding job the last few seasons as a member of our pre, halftime and post-game shows on NBC Sports Bay Area, and his familiarity with our team, our players and our fans dating back to the We Believe days will serve him well in this new role. While his NBA career was cut short by a devastating freak injury less than three years later, a broadcasting career was born that night. Since the 199192 season, the team has played its home games at Vivint Arena. [15] Net Worth: Undisclosed. Fifteen years ago today, Kelenna Azubuike made his Golden State Warriors debut in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. The former Mansfield (Texas) High School standout played in 24 games on multiple assignments to the Mavericks' D-League affiliate in Frisco, averaging 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks for the Del Harris-coached Texas Legends. Kelenna completely tore is patellar tendon. He eagerly embraced the idea of working alongside play-by-play veteran Tim Roye on radio broadcasts. Let Barnett explain triple-threat positioning or what Bill Russells favorite sandwich was as Baron Davis waxes rhapsodical about Laura Dern or what it was like to shame the entire country of Russia when he posterized Andrei Kirilenko. 27, trade center Tony Bradley and 38th pick to Pistons", 2020 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Udoka_Azubuike&oldid=1122683863, All-American college men's basketball players, Basketball players from Jacksonville, Florida, Amateur Athletic Union men's basketball players, Nigerian expatriate basketball people in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 November 2022, at 00:36. Hes too good to only be calling away games on the radio. Details on the contract were not disclosed. [12] Before the injury, he averaged 5.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 62.9% field goal percentage. Im excited to bring my personality to it and talk to fans about why things are happening. Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983) is an English/American former professional basketball player. That was clearly a foul. [1] While attending the University of Kentucky, Azubuike majored in business marketing. You make that deal. Ive had a great run of 34 years on TV, Barnett said. [21] Azubuike was one of a record-high 69 prospects invited to the NBA Draft Combine that year. Endure it, and think what could have been, had the Warriors not put the universally beloved Jim Barnett out to pasture. Theres a better way to live. Jim has been a fixture on our broadcast team for over three decades and has served as a comforting and trusted voice for our fans during several different eras of Warriors basketball, Welts said in the statement. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. Nationality: England. He did not initially hire an agent, which would allow him to return before the combine. But because my last name, its an easy diss and cop out. Barnett will transition to. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child. W Kelenna Azubuike, a member of the "We Believe" Warriors of 2006-07, is joining the squad as an analyst working alongside longtime NBC Sports Bay Area play-by-man voice Bob Fitzgerald. The Warriors also will unveil a reshaped team, given the departures of Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompsons torn ACL. Aug 05, 2007, 03:48 pm. Its a natural for me and its a nice transition. Rona Azubuike is the wife of former professional basketball player and sports analyst Kelenna Azubuike. Undrafted out of Kentucky, Azubuike began his pro career with the Fort Worth Flyers in the D-League and was regarded as a quality defender and 3-point shooter before his knee troubles (the Fort Worth franchise has since relocated to Reno, Nev.). But Kelena's an analyst for the Warriors local broadcast station now, offers some pretty good insight. Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. Wikipedia. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. It's easy to forget that he's only 35, as his career was cut short by a brutal knee injury suffered playing for the Warriors early in the 2009-10 season. Former Golden State Warriors Kelenna Azubuike is introduced during Warriors' NBA game against Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, February 21, 2019. [36] Azubuike's career field goal percentage of 74.9% is an NCAA record.[37]. Udoka Timothy Azubuike (/judok zbuki/; born September 17, 1999) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nuggets guard Austin Rivers isnt happy with a pair of Warriors TV announcers for voicing copout and disrespectful comments about him and his teammate, Facundo Campazzo, during Denvers 89-86 win at Golden State on Tuesday. Azubuike Emanuel Egwuekwe (born 16 July 1989) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Rivers United as a centre back. Hes still very much a presence, involved in the team and the community. and our Something went wrong. , Its always a tough thing, when someone has been doing such a great job for so long and then change happens. During Mondays game against the Washington Wizards, Azubuike even went so far as to describe Steph Curry as a big-time player. I dont know, man. Barnett was too humble. U. Azubuike Ankle: Game Time Decision Udoka Azubuike Ankle: Game Time Decision, B. Bogdanovic Jazzs Bojan Bogdanovic: Plays well but cant hit big shot Bojan Bogdanovic Jazzs Bojan Bogdanovic: Plays well but cant hit big shot. Jim sat in this seat for a long time, he said. After the blockbuster trade that sent Dunleavy and Troy Murphy to Indiana, Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington soaked up many of Azubuikes minutes, and he played sparingly in the teams playoff run. Azubuike also works as an analyst for the NBA on ESPN Radio. [11], On 17 November 2009, it was announced that Azubuike would miss the rest of the 200910 season after tearing his right patellar tendon in a game at the Milwaukee Bucks. [1] Azubuike is a Christian. Ridiculous stuff. By Steve Berman. This site uses different types of cookies. That whole dance was an awkward misfire on the part of the Light Years Brain Trust, and even a few years later, leaves a not entirely un-sour taste in Dub Nations collective mouth. Will Bay Bridge go dark forever? That remains to be seen. [2], He was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star recruit and was ranked as the 27th best overall player[8] while ESPN ranked him 22nd overall in the Class of 2016. He instigated it. [25] On January 5, 2019, Azubuike injured his wrist during practice. Azubuike answered, "Soccer, that's what I was thinking. The Warriors named Kelenna Azubuike as their new television color analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, replacing Jim Barnett, a longtime staple of the game broadcasts. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. Hes very capable and hes a class guy. Azubuike (ankle) has been ruled out for Fridays game against the Clippers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. Warriors vs. Pelicans injury report: So many absences for both teams. While his NBA career was cut short . Lets not settle for just Barnett, though. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. As shambolic as the broadcasts have been these Barnett-less years, were now used to a somewhat unorthodox approach. Azubuike relocated with his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1989 when his father was offered a fellowship at Saint Francis Hospital; his family became American citizens. He's previously contributed to The New Yorker, Vice, GQ and more. 22years (September 17, 1999)Udoka Azubuike / Age. Former National Basketball Association players, "Blow for Britain as London-born Kelenna Azubuike is denied passport", http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/us_sport/article3111497.ece, http://www.insidehoops.com/azubuike-waived-102406.shtml, "Warriors Sign Kelenna Azubuike to Contract", http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/Kelenna_Azubuike_Signing_Release.html, Warriors Re-Sign Kelenna Azubuike To Contract, Sources: Clips, swingman Azubuike agree to multiyear offer sheet, Sources: Warriors keep Azubuike, match Clippers' offer. He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky from 2002 to 2005. .