Weird vibes. Azubuike said Barnett helped connect him to NBC Sports Bay Area and played a huge role in launching Azubuikes second career. "We like him as a player," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle told reporters in San Antonio on Friday morning following the team's shootaround. 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. 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. I enjoy breaking down what I see and just reacting on the spot, he said. A lingering knee injury has forced former Cat Kelenna Azubuike into an early retirement from basketball. 4 Kansas beats Dayton 90-84 in overtime for Maui title", "Kansas snaps Baylor's Big 12-record win streak", "Men's Basketball All-Big 12 Awards Announced", "Udoka Azubuike named defensive player of the year by NABC", "NBC Sports College Basketball All-American Teams". Azubuike has also worked as an analyst for the NBA on ESPN Radio since 2022. Hes handsome, educated and has a gift for words.. 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. 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. Sorry fans of FDRs fireside chats, he just is. Unlike past years, Lucia did not include any analysis and/or fan commentary with the rankings, so we don't know exactly what kind of gripes fans had against the work of Fitzgerald and Azubuike. I think it will be a better season than a lot of people think, Azubuike said. But when youre doing color commentary, youre reacting on the spot. 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. I think its fantastic that I can continue working for the Warriors, Barnett said Friday. Austin Rivers is not happy with comments that the Golden State Warriors' broadcasting team made on Tuesday night. With a year of NBA experience under his belt, Azubuike has quickly developed into a legitimate NBA shooting guard, displaying a much more well rounded skill set than he did earlier in his career. [18] He was awarded All-Big 12 third team by the conference's coaches[19] and second team by the AP. Lex 18 caught up with Kelenna this weekend to see how is handling life after . During his career as a professional Basketball player, He played for various teams including Texas Legends, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Fort Worth Flyers. Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Magic, Timberwolves players exchange punches during wild brawl, Ex-Knick calls out Ben Simmons practice tale, NBA guard fumes over ejection for phantom elbow. Azubuike attended Victory Christian School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was recruited . This is a carousel. 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. Dok All-Time NCAA Leader in Field-Goal Percentage; KU Athletics; 3 February 2020. Kelenna Azubuike (@KelennA7) . Read More, In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Bulls and the Warriors are the only teams to win at least 70 games in a single season. The recently passed SECURE 2.0 Act is giving college savers more time to learn the benefits of compound interest. Clumsy jokes. Nellie loved Azubuikes shooting and athleticism, but mostly he hated Mike Dunleavy Jr. Azubuike accepted a personal invitation from Jakaya Kikwete, the President of Tanzania, to take part in Leon H. Sullivan Summit VIII, a five-day convention held from 2 to 6 June 2008 in Arusha, Tanzania. Unfortunately for him, injury is the reason as he still cannot participate (at) what would be the NBA combine or workouts for the NBA teams. He got a big contract extension when, oh wait, his dad was the coach, said Fitzgerald. The most notable thing Azubuike did as a Knick was sell his No. [4] As a junior, Azubuike was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the Associated Press and the league's coaches after leading the team and ranking tenth in the SEC in points per game, averaging 14.7 overall. Azubuike has been involved with many humanitarian causes during his time in the NBA. 1 option. [3] On January 28, 2016, he announced his choice to play college basketball at the University of Kansas.[11]. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage) / WireImage. He instigated it. Dub Hub:Bob Myers gives an update on Andrew Wiggins absence. Select a random fan. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. On August 4, 2006, the Houston Rockets signed Azubuike to their training camp roster, but waived him on October 24 after only two preseason games. How old is Udoka? It ended badly, A $200M bike bridge tantalized this Bay Area city. Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. It may never get built, California snowpack hits highest level this century for March, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). [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. They nearly replaced him after the 2013-14 season, when his contract expired. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. A lingering knee injury has forced former Cat Kelenna Azubuike into an early retirement from basketball. 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. [36] Azubuike's career field goal percentage of 74.9% is an NCAA record.[37]. [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. Kelenna completely tore is patellar tendon. He will start his comeback with the Frisco-based Texas Legends, Dallas' D-League affiliate. He retired after playing the 2011-12. While he was somehow able to keep pace with the other guards, he knew it was time to retire if he wanted the retain the ability to walk in future years. [6] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. Usher in the broadcaster empowerment era. 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. Roll out an unpredictable delightful chaos, not the bumbling paint-by-numbers sort Fitzgerald and Azubuike are currently ladling out. [4]In 2007-08, he averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes of action. Kelenna tells the story of Melo buying his jersey off him on the Knicks pic.twitter.com/mVUEl6LATm. Ridiculous stuff. [1] Azubuike was named to the 2005 SEC All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.0 points in three contests. 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). Hes charismatic, knowledgeable, quite funny, and with his business acumen and growing portfolio of investments, seems like the sort of guy who might actually enjoy being adjacent to Silicon Valley and all that associated nonsense. 270lbsUdoka Azubuike / Weight And, no, Jim Barnett is not retiring. Although Azubuike hasn't played since early in the 2009-10 season because of a knee injury, Mavericks officials are intrigued by the progress Azubuike has made in his rehabilitation efforts, sources said. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Its more about what sort of homer you are. 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. One game later, he was a starter. Kelenna David Azubuike (born 16 December 1983)[1] is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player and currently the Golden State Warriors television analyst on NBC Sports Bay Area. 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. Jazz center Udoka Azubuike underwent successful surgery on Friday to repair multiple ligaments in his right ankle and foot, the team announced. 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. When the Golden State Warriors are rolling, they're one of the leagues biggest draws. Azubuike appeared to suffer a dislocated ankle in a G League contest on March 10, his third right ankle injury in the past 13 months. After that, Fitzgerald and Azubuike laughed while they mocked the accent of the Argentinian Campazzo. Not exactly my problem. Heres who has offered big bucks so far. 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. Azubuike was the first call-up of the D-League season. 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. Pairing Barnett and Davis would automatically catapult the Warriors broadcasting team to must-listen TV, leapfrogging mere respectability on their journey back from the dregs. 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. blancs50 4 yr. ago. 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, 35, has spent the last four seasons mostly as a studio analyst at NBC Sports Bay Area while also occasionally providing analysis on radio alongside Roye. That remains to be seen. Jan 22, 2021. Kelenna Azubuike is a professional basketball player currently working at NBC Sports Bay Area as the Golden State Warriors television analyst. At the end of the second quarter, broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike specifically poked fun at the Nuggets players and seemed to suggest Rivers was overpaid while being coached by his father with the Clippers from 2015-18. Basketball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. But its been the great honor of my life to plot this coup on his behalf. [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. Im excited to bring my personality to it and talk to fans about why things are happening. Davis, despite his relatively short stint in the Bay Area, is very much beloved. newsletter, future vice president of basketball operations. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. [7] During his second season with Golden State, Azubuike expressed an interest in playing for the British team during the build-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, but was denied British citizenship under the 1981 British Nationality Act. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. The teams future vice president of basketball operations was sent to the bench, while Nelson openly talked about how much happier he and Junior would be if he went and played for his dads Clippers. 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?! Endure it, and think what could have been, had the Warriors not put the universally beloved Jim Barnett out to pasture. Something went wrong. | March 25, 2022, 3:09 p.m. Udoka Azubuike underwent surgery on his injured right ankle and will miss the remainder of the regular season, the Utah Jazz announced Friday. Theres nothing inherently wrong with being a homer! 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. On March 25, 2022, Azubuike underwent right foot surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the 202122 season.[40]. (He's) the kind of athlete that we're trying to find for our team.". 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. [4]Azubuike was selected to play in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Boys Game,[5] Jordan Brand Classic,[6] and Nike Hoop Summit. The Dubs have won five straight and Stephs return is on the horizon! 3 William Street Tranmere SA 5073; 45 Gray Street Tranmere SA 5073; 36 Hectorville Road, Hectorville, SA 5073; 1 & 2/3 RODNEY AVENUE, TRANMERE The Dallas Mavericks signed swingman Kelenna Azubuike to fill the roster spot vacated by Thursday's release of Sean Williams. This is cause for celebration. He finished the season averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. 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). While his NBA career was cut short by a devastating freak injury less than three . And though Mr. Boom Dizzle opted out in 2008 and tried to start a super-team with Elton Brand in Los Angeles (weird sentence! Unclassified cookies are cookies that we are in the process of classifying, together with the providers of individual cookies. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. While his NBA career was cut short by a devastating freak injury less than three years later, a broadcasting career was born that night. [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. Azubuike averaged 10.5 points during his career. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Azubuike (ankle) is out Friday against the Hornets. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child. Fridays news ended lingering uncertainty about Barnetts future with the Warriors. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team to come back after being down 3-1 in the NBA Finals and win Game 7 (2016). Barnett, 75, has on numerous occasions worked with Roye on radio, usually in postseason games on national TV. 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. He is moving to the radio booth to team up with longtime radio voice Tim Roye on 95.7 FM The Game. The second-year center suffered a right ankle sprain earlier this month while on assignment with the G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars. 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. Kelenna David Azubuike (born 16 December 1983) [1] is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player and currently the Golden State Warriors television analyst on NBC Sports Bay Area . 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. And not to worry, Bob Fitzgerald wont be forcibly retired either. Kroichick writes features on the Warriors during the NBA season, and various other topics - ranging from the 49ers/NFL and major-league baseball to college football and basketball - the rest of the year. "The hope is that he can possibly help us this year. Aug 05, 2007, 03:48 pm. Hes fairly knowledgeable about the game, reasonably prepared, generally knows how to pronounce last names and always seems to remember if someone is from one of the Congos. 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. Barnett will transition to radio, the team said as part of Fridays announcement. 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). 22years (September 17, 1999)Udoka Azubuike / Age. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Azubuike was the youngest of 3, with two older brothers and two older sisters. 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. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Azubuike was the first Gatorade Call-Up of the 2006-7 NBA season, after leading the NBA Developmental League (later the G League) in scoring for the Fort Worth Flyers. Im ecstatic. Steph Curry and Zion Williamson highlight the list of players who arent available tonight. His presence will add a new dimension to our TV broadcasts, and we are thrilled with the addition.. As part of his comeback, he was assigned to the Mavericks' D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. He had more dunks than any other college player going back to the 20092010 season. It resurrects a deep and abiding connection that was severed too early, too abruptly. "Utah Jazz take Kansas center Udoka Azubuike at No. He got up under Andre [Iguodala]., Fitzgerald asked, Well, whats the main sport in Argentina?, Azubuike answered, Soccer, thats what I was thinking. Approx. Media column: Al Davis '30 for 30 review; Warriors' Kelenna Azubuike settles in. Carol FitzgeraldBob Fitzgerald / Spouse (m. 19902016). Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Azubuike was the youngest of 3, with two older brothers and two older sisters. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. 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. Cookie Notice 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. [14] He returned for the NCAA tournament until KU's loss to eventual champion Villanova in the Final Four. Jim sat in this seat for a long time, he said. With Mickael Pietrus likely on the way out . Rounding up all the Warriors and NBA news from around the web. Kelenna Azubuike talks life after basketball. [29], On April 22, 2019, Azubuike announced he would return to Kansas for his senior season. 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. I remember him being a stud, especially in 2K. The season cant get here soon enough.. Email: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick. He actually connected me with NBC Sports Bay Area. A huge thank you to the NBC Sports Bay Area for preparing me for this, said Azubuike, who has done color commentary for multiple media outlets. And Im grateful to the Warriors, to (co-owners) Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for giving me this opportunity. [2]He returned to the Flyers, where he averaged 26 points and 5 rebounds, while leading the D-League in scoring and ranking third in three-point field goal percentage.[3]. The injury, plus a botched surgery that left his kneecap up against his quadriceps, ultimately ended his NBA career. He cannot believe they called that on him. Please enter a valid email and try again. He ferociously toes the company line, to an off-putting extent. [27] He underwent season-ending surgery on January 9, 2019. 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. Rona Azubuike is the wife of former professional basketball player and sports analyst Kelenna Azubuike. He did not initially hire an agent, which would allow him to return before the combine. Azubuike lost his father to an undiagnosed disease at the age of 10. For sure unprofessional., The Golden State Warriors broadcasters need to honestly be stopped. [1] Azubuike is a Christian. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. N.Y Knicks player Kelenna Azubuike attends the launch of the new Trident Vitality gum at the Gansevoort Park Avenue on December 8, 2010 in New York City. Hes going to be good. Its more akin to Lacob-ism, and before that, Cohan-ism. 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. The Clippers' offer was matched by the Warriors on July 24, 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior.[6]. While his NBA career was cut short . [33], At the conclusion of the regular season, Azubuike was named the Big 12 Player of the Year[34] and NABC Defensive Player of the Year. Ive had a great run of 34 years on TV, Barnett said. 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. Nationality: England. Azubuike said in a fake accent, as he and his partner chuckled. Lets not settle for just Barnett, though. Check out the article here via InvestmentNews Hes too noble for this kind of skullduggery. Exclusive: Stunning photos show Yosemite National Park under 15 feet of Warriors treating Andrew Wiggins with understandable patience, but his James Wiseman, leadership genius? [4][7], After going undrafted, Azubuike was signed by the Golden State Warriors on 2 January 2007. 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. Whatever we lose from not having someone explain a shot did or didnt go in will be more than made up for. Hes very capable and hes a class guy. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the leagues Western Conference, Northwest Division. Alex Siquig (@ThomasAwful on Twitter) is a Bay Area expat based in Baltimore who still stays up way too late to watch Golden State play. For more information, please see our We've received your submission.
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