Kelenna Azubuike looks like a completely different player than he did last summer. 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. In his last season, he played with Cleveland Cavaliers for $1 Million.. After retiring from Basketball, Azubuike started working with . 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. 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. The Bulls and the Warriors are the only teams to win at least 70 games in a single season. Basketball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. 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. [22] On May 30, 2018, he announced his intent to withdraw from the draft and return to Kansas for his junior season. Hes still very much a presence, involved in the team and the community. Azubuike was selected with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. But one can easily imagine why Barnett may have intimidated or otherwise irritated Lacob, a new, hands-on owner looking to replace the cogs and pinions of a former era with his own commissars. I averaged 11 ppg, 12 ppg, and 16 ppg of the bench for a loaded Clippers team. 1 option. Weight 270 lbs. He was our smile because it happened franchise player. Its a natural for me and its a nice transition. Or again, my preferred route, ignore this half-problem entirely. While Kelenna scored just four points in his debut, he was in the starting lineup the next night. 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. [23], Azubuike has three siblings: Nonzo, Nesochi and Adaeze. [24] On December 4, 2018, he severely sprained his right ankle against Wofford and missed the following four games. Big 12 Men's Basketball Player of the Year winners, "Kansas star will get amazing Final Four moment: Seeing Mom", "Think Reaching the Final 4 Is Tough? Exclusive: Stunning photos show Yosemite National Park under 15 feet of Warriors treating Andrew Wiggins with understandable patience, but his James Wiseman, leadership genius? Hes done an outstanding job the last few seasons as a member of our pre, halftime and post-game shows, 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. This is cause for celebration. A 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) center/forward from Seton Hall University, Fitzgerald played two seasons in the Basketball Association of America as a member of the Toronto Huskies, New York Knicks, and Rochester Royals. Two adults who talk on television for a living should know better than to mock the accent of a player from a different country, as. Azubuike Emanuel Egwuekwe (born 16 July 1989) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Rivers United as a centre back. Ridiculous stuff. Weird vibes. Azubuike called himself a basketball junkie who loves talking about the game. He had more dunks than any other college player going back to the 20092010 season. He was too tall (this is very threatening to the extremely wealthy). [3], He played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Georgia Stars in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). [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. He looked like a soccer player there., Then, Azubuike mocked Campazzos accent and said, How can you call this? Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. 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. Heres who has offered big bucks so far. [20] Since then, he has been assigned to announce 11 of the 19 NBA D-League games produced by NBA TV in 2016. Rivers, the son of veteran coach Doc Rivers . 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. Barnett truly was (is) the best sort of broadcaster: a font of knowledge with a requisite respect for the past who, at the same time, is excited for both the here and now and the future. [24], Azubuike has been involved with many humanitarian causes during his time in the NBA. What ever happened to Kelenna Azubuike? Warriors TV announcers Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike targeted the Denver . He went 4/4 from the field in that brief stint. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about small forward Kelenna Azubuike on ESPN. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. 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. The recently passed SECURE 2.0 Act is giving college savers more time to learn the benefits of compound interest. Net Worth: Undisclosed. Cookie Notice [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. He was also the only player to ever earn Oklahomas Super 5 recognition three times, an honor bestowed upon the states top five players, regardless of classification. Nellie loved Azubuikes shooting and athleticism, but mostly he hated Mike Dunleavy Jr. Golden State Warriors broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike have been criticized for making fun of Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo The pair were calling the game on NBC. 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. In the studio, we talk about what we think is going to happen (in Warriors Pregame), or our interpretation of what has happened (in Warriors Postgame). Andre Iguodala might be free next season if he hasnt achieved his final form as an NFT. Im not trying to be Jim Barnett hes one of a kind, and nobody can do that. Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983) is an English/American former professional basketball player. A lingering knee injury has forced former Cat Kelenna Azubuike into an early retirement from basketball. [17] On 28 June 2012, during the 2012 NBA Draft, Azubuike was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The good news is its not as though Barnett has renounced calling Warriors games and embraced the life of a curmudgeonly hermit. As part of his comeback, he was assigned to the Mavericks' D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. 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. Sign up for the The fit is wrong. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team to come back after being down 3-1 in the NBA Finals and win Game 7 (2016). Once they do that, then anything can happen.. [36] Azubuike's career field goal percentage of 74.9% is an NCAA record.[37]. Hes too good to only be calling away games on the radio. He's previously contributed to The New Yorker, Vice, GQ and more. High School Potters House Christian Academy [Fla.]. Azubuike (ankle) has been ruled out for Fridays game against the Clippers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. Im looking forward to it. [20], On April 20, 2018, Azubuike announced his intention to enter the 2018 NBA draft. He's also The Chronicle's golf columnist, covering the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and all major championships in Northern California. The Dallas Mavericks signed swingman Kelenna Azubuike to fill the roster spot vacated by Thursday's release of Sean Williams. 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. Gambling problem? 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. [1] Azubuike is a Christian. And still do now! As shambolic as the broadcasts have been these Barnett-less years, were now used to a somewhat unorthodox approach. [18] He was waived by the Cavaliers on 14 October 2012. 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?! Azubuikes effectiveness as a pick-and-roll finisher may be as strong as any other Jazzmans. Currently, his net worth is 9 million dollars. Hes too noble for this kind of skullduggery. In the 200506 season, Azubuike averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in forty-one games with the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA's Developmental League. Since the 199192 season, the team has played its home games at Vivint Arena. 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. Hes handsome, educated and has a gift for words.. His former partner, Fitzgerald, long a burr in the collective saddles of a vocal segment of Warriors fandom, is by contrast mostly a goofy propagandist. Steph Curry and Zion Williamson highlight the list of players who arent available tonight. On 9 April 2012, he was recalled by the Mavericks. [21] Various of these games have been broadcast by ESPNU. 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. Dub Hub:Bob Myers gives an update on Andrew Wiggins absence. It gets Jessica Alba back in the building. On March 25, 2022, Azubuike underwent right foot surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the 202122 season.[40]. Values are based on current season type (i.e. 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. He did not initially hire an agent, which would allow him to return before the combine. Images via Getty Images; Illustration by Charles Russo, Horoscope for Saturday, 3/04/23 by Christopher Renstrom, No seriously, dont drive up to Tahoe this weekend, Horoscope for Friday, 3/03/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Snowboarder dies at Tahoe ski resort following historic blizzard, Even Salesforces tower HQ isnt safe from office cuts, Wife of Jeffrey Vandergrift issues somber update, Mochi muffin bakery closes SF cafe after just 4 months, Oakland ransomware attackers leak 'confidential' data, The Warriors broke Russell Westbrook, just like old times, In search of vegan food, I found a world-class Mendocino inn, Escape to Long Beach, Washington before the summer crowds, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). And also, at least at one point, a dangerous one. He played four seasons with Golden State, starting with the 2006-07 We Believe team that beat top-seeded Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. The season cant come fast enough., Where Livingston wants to end career after Warriors release. Kelenna Azubuike talks life after basketball. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. Azubuike will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. Others are cautiously optimistic that by 2029 or so, Fitzgerald and Azubuike will really start to gel and find their rhythm. [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. Hes very capable and hes a class guy. In Azubuikes 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). You make that deal. [2] Playing for Victory Christian High School, Azubuike led his team to the state title as a sophomore. [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. 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. Early life. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. Warriors replace Jim Barnett with Kelenna Azubuike as TV color analyst, How much are the Warriors worth? It may never get built, California snowpack hits highest level this century for March, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). As Barnett once said, the key to a successful career announcing games is talking about fundamentals and also being able to speak the Kings English. Sounds like hes very clearly describing Baron Davis. He shot nearly 50% from three-point range, something that Don Nelson really liked. [16] On 20 April 2012, Azubuike played in his first NBA game since 14 November 2009, against the Golden State Warriors. And though Mr. Boom Dizzle opted out in 2008 and tried to start a super-team with Elton Brand in Los Angeles (weird sentence! Green was signed out of free agency to a multi-year contract. 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. We think Kelenna is one of the bright, young stars in the broadcasting business, Warriors president/COO Rick Welts said in a statement issued by the team. After finishing his junior season in college, Azubuike declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft, eventually going undrafted that year. How old is Udoka? A broadcaster obviously shouldnt have noticeable loathing for the team whose games they call. Kelenna Azubuike (@KelennA7) . Please enter a valid email and try again. His father, Fabian, was a police officer, and his mother, Florence, was a middle school teacher. It seemed like he was going to progress into a solid player, and then poof a knee injury seems to end his career? Azubuike said in a fake accent, as he and his partner chuckled. [2] Azubuike lost his father to an undiagnosed disease at the age of 10. On January 17, while the Warriors' roster was depleted by an eight-player trade in progress, Azubuike played 48 minutes versus the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 28 points and collecting 7 rebounds. 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. The same will apply to their telecasts and radio broadcasts. Beginning in 2019, he became the television analyst alongside Bob Fitzgerald, replacing Jim Barnett, who had been the color analyst for the last 34 seasons and is now the color analyst on KGMZ-FM's 95.7 The Game. Azubuike underwent successful surgery today to repair multiple ankle and foot ligaments in his right foot to stabilize the Subtalar joint. Kelenna and Rona exchanged their vows in a traditional Christian wedding ceremony. I remember him being a stud, especially in 2K. He loves the game, he loves the players, and he very clearly loved his old job. But when youre doing color commentary, youre reacting on the spot. "He's an energetic, athletic guy that's a very good 3-point shooter. Media column: Al Davis '30 for 30 review; Warriors' Kelenna Azubuike settles in. Not exactly my problem. Clumsy jokes. But because my last name, its an easy diss and cop out. 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. Im not a bean counter, Im a dreamer. Azubuike played three years for the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging 15 points per game in his junior season. Were excited he will continue to be a member of our family and broadcast team on the radio side, where he will provide his valuable insight and perspective., Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Watson has swine flu, "Knicks Acquire Randolph, Azubuike & Turiaf", "Kelenna Azubuike gets call to replace Lamar Odom", "Azubike plays in first NBA game in three seasons", "UK basketball notebook: Ex-Cats Azubuike, Mohammed take crash course in broadcasting", "NBA D-League Alum Kelenna Azubuike Heading To Broadcast Booth For D-League Showcase", "ESPNU to Televise 11 Regular-Season NBA D-League Games Starting in January", "Kelenna Azubuike to be Warriors TV game analyst; Jim Barnett to radio", "Former NBA Star Kelenna Azubuike Shares Details on New Faith Based Film 'Midrange' and Being a Christian Among Pro-Athletes (VIDEO INTERVIEW)", "WARRIORS: Kelenna Azubuike: On A Mission To Tanzania", Career Statistics at Basketball-Reference.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kelenna_Azubuike&oldid=1135532503, This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 06:49. Aug 05, 2007, 03:48 pm. Barnett, 75, has been with the Warriors since 1984. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Late in the second quarter, while Rivers was at the free throw line, Fitzgerald and Azubuike began discussing the 29-year-old guard and his familial ties within the league. Warriors vs. Pelicans injury report: So many absences for both teams. Theres a better way to live. With Steph Curry out (but not for much longer), Klay Thompson has filled his shoes as the Dubs no. He has worked with Roye on games for radio when they werent aired on TV. [14] He returned for the NCAA tournament until KU's loss to eventual champion Villanova in the Final Four. If not for him, who knows where Id be. Barnett spent 11 seasons as a guard in the NBA, including three with the Warriors, when he averaged 11.9 points per game. Its really an honor, and Im super humbled the Warriors believe in me, Azubuike said in a phone interview. Hes found a workaround from being phased out, still plies his wisdom and his trademark avuncular wit on the radio side of things. 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. [6] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. Lets not forget how he got here in the first place! [1], Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Azubuike was listed as the No. 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. 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 . src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. He got up under Andre [Iguodala]., Fitzgerald asked, Well, whats the main sport in Argentina?, Azubuike answered, Soccer, thats what I was thinking. [27] He underwent season-ending surgery on January 9, 2019. 270lbsUdoka Azubuike / Weight "We like him as a player," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle told reporters in San Antonio on Friday morning following the team's shootaround. newsletter, future vice president of basketball operations. Radio doesnt show age. On July 7, the Warriors re-signed him. He looked to be a very promising young player. Rona Azubuike is the wife of former professional basketball player and sports analyst Kelenna Azubuike. Here's what his return means for KU", "K-State, KU well represented on All-Big team", "Jayhawks sit out Udoka Azubuike due to wrist injury", "Kansas' Udoka Azubuike to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery on Right Hand", "Self: Doc says Azubuike's surgery 'couldn't have gone any better', "KU Coach Bill Self Laments Loss of Azubuike", "Udoka Azubuike to return for senior season", 7-foot center Udoka Azubuike returning to KU for senior season, "No. Im grateful that the Warriors are giving me a contract to do this. Barnett was too humble. He looked like a soccer player there." Warriors announcers Bob Fitzgerald (left) and Kelenna Azubuike Twitter His presence will add a new dimension to our TV broadcasts, and we are thrilled with the addition.. Utah JazzUdoka Azubuike / Current team (#20 / Center)The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. He got a big contract extension when, oh wait, his dad was the coach, said Fitzgerald. I really couldn't find much and was wondering if I'm missing something? And he threw down a lot of spectacular dunks. Its also something that one doesnt really have to make the case for. [1] During the 200607 season, Azubuike made an appearance on Bay Area hip hop station KMEL and conducted an interview while the station played music which he personally produced. Wikipedia, University of KansasUdoka Azubuike / College (20162020)The University of Kansas is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and several satellite campuses, research and educational centers, medical centers, and classes across the state of Kansas. [18] He was awarded All-Big 12 third team by the conference's coaches[19] and second team by the AP. Both Azubuike and Barnett will travel with the team for road games. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. I enjoy breaking down what I see and just reacting on the spot, he said. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage) / WireImage. 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. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child.