Kansas basketball: Udoka Azubuike looks good in NBA preseason opener

Former Kansas basketball star and All-American Udoka Azubuike played in his first NBA preseason game yesterday with the Utah Jazz.

Udoka Azubuike had one of the greatest seasons in Kansas basketball history last year when he and Devon Dotson led the Jayhawks to a 28-3 record and Big 12 title. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Kansas in the tournament; however, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Azubuike and the Jayhawks were dominant.

He led the nation in field goal percentage, while also averaging 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Azubuike was awarded for his play with the Big 12 Player of the Year Award, the NABC Defensive Player of the Year Award, and a selection to the All-American second team. His name and number will undoubtedly hang in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse after giving the Jayhawks everything for four seasons.

Now, Azubuike has to prove that he can make it in the NBA. He made his preseason debut last night with the Utah Jazz and scored six points, grabbed three rebounds, and had two blocks in 13 minutes of playing time. In classic Azubuike fashion, he also went 0-3 from the free throw line. The Jazz would go on to win the game 119-105, and they’ll play the Suns on NBA TV on Monday the 14th.

It’s a solid start to his pro career, but Azubuike will need to correct a lot of the issues that were prevalent during his time with Kansas basketball. Case in point: his free throw shooting. If his percentage could improve to 50 or 60 percent, it would make him that much more of an asset.

Hopefully, Udoka Azubuike will end up having a long and healthy pro career. He certainly deserves it after overcoming two major injuries and then having the kind of senior season he did in 2020.