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10 best former Kansas basketball players in the NBA right now

By Joshua Schulman

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid (21) of Philadelphia 76ers attends the press briefing after the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn of New York City, United States on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid (21) of Philadelphia 76ers attends the press briefing after the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn of New York City, United States on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
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Udoka Azubuike #20 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
Udoka Azubuike #20 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) /

10. Udoka Azubuike — Utah Jazz

2022-23 season stats: 36 GP, 3.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 81.9% FG

The renowned former Jayhawks center who never got a chance to play for an NCAA Championship is loved by Kansas fans. However, that has not translated to NBA success. He has combined for just 68 career games while playing three seasons in the pros.

Azubuike’s play style was a match made in heaven for college ball. At the next level, he has not taken that big step due to his lack of post moves and footwork. He is not someone who you can give it to on the low block and let go to work.

He is uncharacteristically strong for an NBA player. If he could expand his inside game outside of just dunks, “Dok” would become a solid player. His free throw percentage of 35.0 percent is reminiscent of his struggles at the charity stripe at Kansas.

With much room for improvement and a lackluster three-year stretch in Utah, the Jazz declined his club option for 2023-24. Azubuike will become an unrestricted free agent and likely bounce around the G-League for some time. In hindsight, he should not have been a first-round draft pick and simply is not skilled enough to carve a sizeable role in the NBA.

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