Kansas basketball’s Udoka Azubuike NABC Defensive Player of the Year
Kansas basketball’s Udoka Azubuike has received numerous awards after his incredible season, the most recent being the NABC Defensive Player of the Year.
Big 12 Player of the Year, Second-Team AP All-American, and now NABC Defensive Player of the Year. Kansas basketball’s Udoka Azubuike continues to be showered with awards and prestigious honors after his play in the 2019-20 season.
Azubuike is the second Jayhawk to ever win the award with Jeff Withey being the other. Considering Marcus Garrett’s senior season is coming up, Kansas could very easily have two winners of the award in a row.
Last season, Azubuike averaged 2.6 blocks per game and had multiple games of five blocks or more against some of the toughest competition in the country. In addition to his swats, Azubuike was an immovable object down in the low post clocking in at seven feet tall and 270 pounds.
Head football coach Les Miles should have asked him to try out for the football team.
His post presence was a massive reason Kansas was such a great defensive team last season. According to KenPom, the Jayhawks were the No. 2 team in the country from a defensive standpoint, and a lot of the praise has to go to Azubuike.
As of now, Azubuike’s draft stock is quite high and a big part of why is because of his stellar defense. NBC Sports’ mock draft puts Azubuike as a late first-round selection, calling him “the most dominant defensive force in the sport.” Other mock drafts like Sports Illustrated have Azubuike going in the second round.
hoops. Three most important wins from last season. light
Either way, Azubuike’s ability to change games defensively has improved his draft stock and the fact that he was recognized by the NABC for abilities is a nice boost for his already distinguished resume.