And still do now! He's also The Chronicle's golf columnist, covering the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and all major championships in Northern California. He was having a stellar offensive season in 2009-10 before he ruptured his patella tendon in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. [36] Azubuike's career field goal percentage of 74.9% is an NCAA record.[37]. Im looking forward to it. Kelenna Azubuike looks like a completely different player than he did last summer. He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky from 2002 to 2005. . He has worked with Roye on games for radio when they werent aired on TV. Will Bay Bridge go dark forever? What ever happened to Kelenna Azubuike? Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. The injury, plus a botched surgery that left his kneecap up against his quadriceps, ultimately ended his NBA career. 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. Udoka Timothy Azubuike (/judok zbuki/; born September 17, 1999) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Kelenna completely tore is patellar tendon. and our Davis, despite his relatively short stint in the Bay Area, is very much beloved. While his NBA career was cut short by a devastating freak injury less than three years later, a broadcasting career was born that night. Azubuikes effectiveness as a pick-and-roll finisher may be as strong as any other Jazzmans. He ferociously toes the company line, to an off-putting extent. Its really an honor, and Im super humbled the Warriors believe in me, Azubuike said in a phone interview. [2] His parents were doctors and had moved to London for work. As shambolic as the broadcasts have been these Barnett-less years, were now used to a somewhat unorthodox approach. Utah JazzUdoka Azubuike / Current team (#20 / Center)The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. [4] Azubuike was the first Gatorade Call-Up of the 200607 NBA Development League season, and the 49th player overall to be called up to the NBA since the D-League began play in November 2001. [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. [20], On April 20, 2018, Azubuike announced his intention to enter the 2018 NBA draft. 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. [6] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. 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. 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. You dont have to put on makeup.. Wikipedia. I was wronged!, The incident came just a week after Rivers had a pair of fans removed from aNuggets-Thunder game in Oklahoma City,after he said they were talking about [his] family the whole night.. 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). U. Azubuike Ankle: Game Time Decision Udoka Azubuike Ankle: Game Time Decision, B. Bogdanovic Jazzs Bojan Bogdanovic: Plays well but cant hit big shot Bojan Bogdanovic Jazzs Bojan Bogdanovic: Plays well but cant hit big shot. Im not a bean counter, Im a dreamer. Read More, In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Tim is a really good guy, and does a great job. Jim was actually one of the first people I talked to when I was thinking about getting into broadcasting, said Azubuike, who retired in 2012. It is kind of whole new thing when compared with the studio. In his last season, he played with Cleveland Cavaliers for $1 Million.. After retiring from Basketball, Azubuike started working with . Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Andre Iguodala might be free next season if he hasnt achieved his final form as an NFT. [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. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Azubuike was the youngest of 3, with two older brothers and two older sisters. Lets not forget how he got here in the first place! A possible solution to the pure play-by-play quandary is to bring a third person to the already star-studded booth. Assessing every Golden State players performance from the teams 108-99 win over New Orleans. Fitz and Buike will merely be repurposed to roles that better suit them. Baron Davis joining Barnett as his commiserating-mate is an obvious choice on multiple levels. The shimmering Bay Lights turn off Sunday night as the effort to raise $11 million to fund a bigger, better version is only partway there. 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. The Golden State Warriors signed him for four years worth $7 Million. [15] I remember him being a stud, especially in 2K. The Denver Nuggets are the only NBA team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit multiple times in the same year (2020). 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. I dream light years. Roll out an unpredictable delightful chaos, not the bumbling paint-by-numbers sort Fitzgerald and Azubuike are currently ladling out. It resurrects a deep and abiding connection that was severed too early, too abruptly. Im so pumped. Azubuike lost his father to an undiagnosed disease at the age of 10. Azubuike answered, "Soccer, that's what I was thinking. He was too tall (this is very threatening to the extremely wealthy). He went 4/4 from the field in that brief stint. I hoped I might work in radio after leaving TV. So lets reunite these disparate loose ends immediately and put a resounding end to the League Pass nightmare that is the Golden State Warriors broadcast stream. Check out the article here via InvestmentNews 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. On January 2, 2007, the Golden State Warriors signed Azubuike to shore up their injury-plagued backcourt. Why the Warriors should replace Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike with Jim Barnett and Baron Davis. The second-year center suffered a right ankle sprain earlier this month while on assignment with the G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars. One game later, he was a starter. Jan 22, 2021. 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. 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. Before I extol the virtues of this particular pair, I must say a few (hundred) words about the play-by-play man I hope to exile. In short, nobody loves this relatively new-ish duo. If chaos is in the cards, trade up for the fun kind. [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. 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). [18] He was waived by the Cavaliers on 14 October 2012. [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. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Azubuike was the youngest of 3, with two older brothers and two older sisters. "The hope is that he can possibly help us this year. [1] Azubuike was named to the 2005 SEC All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.0 points in three contests. Privacy Policy. [1] He is a Christian music fan and enjoys creating his own music. Fifteen years ago today, Kelenna Azubuike made his Golden State Warriors debut in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team to come back after being down 3-1 in the NBA Finals and win Game 7 (2016). [24], Azubuike has been involved with many humanitarian causes during his time in the NBA. [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. 3 William Street Tranmere SA 5073; 45 Gray Street Tranmere SA 5073; 36 Hectorville Road, Hectorville, SA 5073; 1 & 2/3 RODNEY AVENUE, TRANMERE 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. Not exactly my problem. W Kelenna Azubuike, a member of the "We Believe" Warriors of 2006-07, is joining the squad as an analyst working alongside longtime NBC Sports Bay Area play-by-man voice Bob Fitzgerald. We think Kelenna is one of the bright, young stars in the broadcasting business, Warriors President Rick Welts said in a statement. He was waived by the Knicks on 28 February 2011. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. 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. He looked like a soccer player there." Warriors announcers Bob Fitzgerald (left) and Kelenna Azubuike Twitter Fifteen years ago today, Kelenna Azubuike made his Golden State Warriors debut in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. On 17 November 2009, it was announced that Azubuike would miss the rest of the 2009-10 season after tearing his right patellar tendon in a game at the Milwaukee Bucks. For more information, please see our Or again, my preferred route, ignore this half-problem entirely. Values are based on current season type (i.e. [20] Since then, he has been assigned to announce 11 of the 19 NBA D-League games produced by NBA TV in 2016. He always comes equipped with the latest talking points from on high. Its fun.. Hopefully roles where they can avoid unforced errors like impersonating Facundo Campazzos accent, but that remains to be seen. Azubuike also works as an analyst for the NBA on ESPN Radio. [28], Kansas won all nine games Azubuike played including against top ten teams Tennessee and Michigan State. I enjoy breaking down what I see and just reacting on the spot, he said. 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. blancs50 4 yr. ago. And, no, Jim Barnett is not retiring. I really couldn't find much and was wondering if I'm missing something? He actually connected me with NBC Sports Bay Area. Others are cautiously optimistic that by 2029 or so, Fitzgerald and Azubuike will really start to gel and find their rhythm. His then assistant coach Harry Coxsome and his wife Donna took care of him and soon became his legal guardians. @ plays for the team . It may never get built, California snowpack hits highest level this century for March, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). He obviously brings some history with the Warriors and their rise to prominence; Azubuike was Stephen Currys teammate on the 2009-10 team. You make that deal. But when youre doing color commentary, youre reacting on the spot. Select a random fan. He got up under Andre [Iguodala]., Fitzgerald asked, Well, whats the main sport in Argentina?, Azubuike answered, Soccer, thats what I was thinking. 270lbsUdoka Azubuike / Weight He excelled in his first season in the D-League, collecting All D-League honours while leading his team to the championship, which they lost to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. No NBA player has made a full recovery from this injury, it is much closer to an Achilles tear vs an ACL tear in severity. The convention brought together many of the world's political and business leaders to focus attention and resources on Africa's economic and social development.[25]. Im not really concerned about the difficulty of following Jim. [10] In the final hour, Golden State matched the offer made by the Clippers on 24 July 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Fridays news ended lingering uncertainty about Barnetts future with the Warriors. He got a big contract extension when, oh wait, his dad was the coach, said Fitzgerald. Usher in the broadcaster empowerment era. Early life. 7 off his back . He will start his comeback with the Frisco-based Texas Legends, Dallas' D-League affiliate. In 2021, Kroichick earned an Associated Press Sports Editors Top 10 award for his feature on Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee conquering cancer. Ridiculous stuff. 1 college football recruit. By Steve Berman. Hes handsome, educated and has a gift for words.. It ended badly, A $200M bike bridge tantalized this Bay Area city. [3], Playing under coach Tubby Smith, Azubuike said that the biggest improvement to his game at Kentucky was the ability to create offense through intense defense. But much like modern basketball, lets consider this a position-less broadcasting team. Now that they appear to be emerging from their recent, unsettling slump, they should be a squad reliably worthy of a nightly League Pass Alert. Its even the sort of splashy move that would appeal to Lacobs Light Years brain. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The Clippers' offer was matched by the Warriors on July 24, 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior.[6]. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. With Steph Curry out (but not for much longer), Klay Thompson has filled his shoes as the Dubs no. 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. His presence will add a new dimension to our TV broadcasts and we are thrilled with the addition., Barnett said of Azubuike, I really mean this: Im so happy its Kelenna and not someone else. Barnett was too humble. And now Im going to work radio. newsletter, future vice president of basketball operations. Exclusive: Stunning photos show Yosemite National Park under 15 feet of Warriors treating Andrew Wiggins with understandable patience, but his James Wiseman, leadership genius? 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 . Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. Cookie Notice [1] Azubuike is a Christian. Azubuike said in a fake accent, as he and his partner chuckled. After finishing his junior season in college, Azubuike declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft, eventually going undrafted that year. 62. 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.