Hes too good to only be calling away games on the radio. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. On 17 November 2009, it was announced that Azubuike would miss the rest of the 200910 season after tearing his right patellar tendon in a game at the Milwaukee Bucks. [19], In the summer of 2015, Azubuike attended the Sportscaster U. program at Syracuse University sponsored by the NBPA, training for a career in broadcasting. The injury, plus a botched surgery that left his kneecap up against his quadriceps, ultimately ended his NBA career. He went 4/4 from the field in that brief stint. 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. [16] His field goal percentage broke the single-season record for Kansas and the Big 12 Conference. He looked to be a very promising young player. A few (masochists) tolerate the pair, because yes, it does take a certain amount of toil for some people to get worked up about an NBA teams local broadcasting duo. Barnett was too humble. Im not a bean counter, Im a dreamer. His father, Fabian, was a police officer, and his mother, Florence, was a middle school teacher. No, that would be wrong. Jim sat in this seat for a long time, he said. Azubuike (ankle) has been ruled out for Fridays game against the Clippers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. [15] Barnett will transition to radio, the team said as part of Fridays announcement. Azubuike (ankle) is out Friday against the Hornets. On May 17, he measured out to be a near 7' tall center (with shoes on) weighing in at 274 pounds and holding the second-longest wingspan at 7'7", behind only Mohamed Bamba. He finished his high school career as the second all-time leading scorer in Oklahoma prep basketball history after amassing 3,530 career points. Warriors vs. Pelicans injury report: So many absences for both teams. Azubuike lost his father to an undiagnosed disease at the age of 10. Carol FitzgeraldBob Fitzgerald / Spouse (m. 19902016). You dont have to put on makeup.. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child. Hed still be great, or at least pretty good in that role. 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. Azubuike will receive a deal for the rest of this season and a team option for next season, sources said. Hes too noble for this kind of skullduggery. Azubuike also works as an analyst for the NBA on ESPN Radio. The double hype-man/yes-man experiment has failed. I consent to the use of following cookies: Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. Hell miss the rest of the 2021/22 season. [30] According to KU coach Bill Self, Were all very excited about Udoka making the decision not to enter the [NBA] draft. Odds & lines subject to change. Azubuike mocked Argentine Facundo Campazzo with an accent and they both implied Austin Rivers' contract was a product of nepotism. Williams played in only eight games with the Mavericks after leaving his team in Israel to sign with his hometown team on Dec. 21, averaging 3.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.1 minutes. 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. [22], He joined NBC Sports Bay Area in 2015, covering Warriors games as a studio analyst for the pregame, halftime, and postgame shows. 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?! And, no, Jim Barnett is not retiring. The Dubs have won five straight and Stephs return is on the horizon! [5] [15] He averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and led the nation with a 77% field goal percentage for the season. 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. What can the Knicks do for an encore after the thrilling highs of 2021? 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. Azubuike underwent successful surgery today to repair multiple ankle and foot ligaments in his right foot to stabilize the Subtalar joint. Azubuike averaged 10.5 points during his career. But Kelena's an analyst for the Warriors local broadcast station now, offers some pretty good insight. Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. Radio doesnt show age. Ridiculous stuff. Barnett, 75, has on numerous occasions worked with Roye on radio, usually in postseason games on national TV. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Rounding up all the Warriors and NBA news from around the web. When the Golden State Warriors are rolling, they're one of the leagues biggest draws. [24] On December 4, 2018, he severely sprained his right ankle against Wofford and missed the following four games. 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. [24], Azubuike has been involved with many humanitarian causes during his time in the NBA. For more information, please see our He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky from 2002 to 2005. . With Steph Curry out (but not for much longer), Klay Thompson has filled his shoes as the Dubs no. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. Kelenna and Rona exchanged their vows in a traditional Christian wedding ceremony. Lets not settle for just Barnett, though. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Azubuike was the youngest of 3, with two older brothers and two older sisters. One game later, he was a starter. Sign up for the 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. Azubuikes effectiveness as a pick-and-roll finisher may be as strong as any other Jazzmans. Assessing every Golden State players performance from the teams 108-99 win over New Orleans. Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983) is an English/American former professional basketball player. Warriors replace Jim Barnett with Kelenna Azubuike as TV color analyst, How much are the Warriors worth? And Im grateful to the Warriors, to (co-owners) Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for giving me this opportunity. Barnett fully expected to move into an ambassadors role with the team at the time. The Fitz bingo card is the worlds most sadly reliable bingo card, and were subject to it every game, whether it be the fetishization of four-year college players, insisting the first home game after a road trip is still a road game, describing shots from a few feet beyond the arc as being heaved from Millbrae or Hayward or Redwood City, or mentioning to a queasy extent the beautiful smile of Andrew Wiggins. The Golden State Warriors signed him for four years worth $7 Million. Former Golden State Warriors Kelenna Azubuike is introduced during Warriors' NBA game against Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Green was signed out of free agency to a multi-year contract. [2] Azubuike was a four-year starter averaging 16.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game his senior year. [21] Various of these games have been broadcast by ESPNU. That remains to be seen. He was also the only player to ever earn Oklahomas Super 5 recognition three times, an honor bestowed upon the states top five players, regardless of classification. 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. Select a random fan. [23], Azubuike has three siblings: Nonzo, Nesochi and Adaeze. Azubuike covered Warrior's games after he joined NBC Sports Bay Area in 2015. He retired after playing the 2011-12. He looked like a soccer player there., Then, Azubuike mocked Campazzos accent and said, How can you call this? Lets not forget how he got here in the first place! How old is Udoka? He will start his comeback with the Frisco-based Texas Legends, Dallas' D-League affiliate. Hes handsome, educated and has a gift for words.. [2] His parents were doctors and had moved to London for work. While his NBA career was cut short by a devastating freak injury less than three years later, a broadcasting career was born that night. But much like modern basketball, lets consider this a position-less broadcasting team. He instigated it. The Denver Nuggets are the only NBA team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit multiple times in the same year (2020). [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 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. Basketball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. [27] He underwent season-ending surgery on January 9, 2019. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. Im excited to bring my personality to it and talk to fans about why things are happening. 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. [10] In the final hour, Golden State matched the offer made by the Clippers on 24 July 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior. Azubuike said in a fake accent, as he and his partner chuckled. Golden State included him in the David Lee trade in 2010, but he didnt play a game for the New York Knicks. Some FAQs Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? I think it will be a better season than a lot of people think, Azubuike 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. @ plays for the team . Barnett elevates yapping about a basketball game into something dignified and illuminating, something affirming. Others are cautiously optimistic that by 2029 or so, Fitzgerald and Azubuike will really start to gel and find their rhythm. Barnett spent 11 seasons as a guard in the NBA, including three with the Warriors, when he averaged 11.9 points per game. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about small forward Kelenna Azubuike on ESPN. Appreciating Klay Thompson filling in the superstar shoes. The good news is its not as though Barnett has renounced calling Warriors games and embraced the life of a curmudgeonly hermit. Davis, despite his relatively short stint in the Bay Area, is very much beloved. He has worked with Roye on games for radio when they werent aired on TV. Watson has swine flu, "Knicks Acquire Randolph, Azubuike & Turiaf", "Kelenna Azubuike gets call to replace Lamar Odom", "Azubike plays in first NBA game in three seasons", "UK basketball notebook: Ex-Cats Azubuike, Mohammed take crash course in broadcasting", "NBA D-League Alum Kelenna Azubuike Heading To Broadcast Booth For D-League Showcase", "ESPNU to Televise 11 Regular-Season NBA D-League Games Starting in January", "Kelenna Azubuike to be Warriors TV game analyst; Jim Barnett to radio", "Former NBA Star Kelenna Azubuike Shares Details on New Faith Based Film 'Midrange' and Being a Christian Among Pro-Athletes (VIDEO INTERVIEW)", "WARRIORS: Kelenna Azubuike: On A Mission To Tanzania", Career Statistics at Basketball-Reference.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kelenna_Azubuike&oldid=1135532503, This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 06:49. [1] Azubuike averaged 10.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 97 career games at the University of Kentucky, shooting a 48.5% field goal average for his college career. 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). A lingering knee injury has forced former Cat Kelenna Azubuike into an early retirement from basketball. Privacy Policy. And he threw down a lot of spectacular dunks. The Clippers' offer was matched by the Warriors on July 24, 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior.[6]. I averaged 11 ppg, 12 ppg, and 16 ppg of the bench for a loaded Clippers team. Fifteen years ago today, Kelenna Azubuike made his Golden State Warriors debut in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. I dream light years. Kelenna Azubuike was born on December 16, 1983 in England (39 years old). 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. 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. I enjoy breaking down what I see and just reacting on the spot, he said. His then assistant coach Harry Coxsome and his wife Donna took care of him and soon became his legal guardians. 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. Kelenna Azubuike is a Basketball Player, zodiac sign: Sagittarius. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. For sure unprofessional., The Golden State Warriors broadcasters need to honestly be stopped. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. He looked like a soccer player there." Warriors announcers Bob Fitzgerald (left) and Kelenna Azubuike Twitter [1], Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Azubuike was listed as the No. This is cause for celebration. [5] 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. He was later included in Golden State's sign-and-trade acquisition of David Lee from the New York Knicks in the summer of 2010, but Azubuike never played a game with the Knicks and was released Feb. 28, 2011. I feel like if the Warriors can just stay above water while Klay is out hopefully, he gets back by the All-Star break they can get into the playoffs. 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". Kelenna Azubuike (@KelennA7) . 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. Kelenna completely tore is patellar tendon. Azubuike spent five years in the NBA (averaging 14.4 pts a game in 2008-2009) before he had to hang up his sneakers. Aug 05, 2007, 03:48 pm. 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. Youll be surprised by the new Forbes rankings, Stephen Curry produces high-end movie, lowbrow TV, How Curry's 3-point shooting changed the game. The defunct Central Division won one championship in 1950. And now Im going to work radio. He finished the season averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. Lets move on with dignity. Azubuike was born in London, England, to Nigerian parents Kenneth and Chi Azubuike. "3 grand, that's it?" The Warriors ought to be an electrifying affair for both casuals and die-hards. On January 17, while the Warriors' roster was depleted by an eight-player trade in progress, Azubuike played 48 minutes versus the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 28 points and collecting 7 rebounds. [1] Azubuike finished his prep career with 3,530 points, 89 points short of the all-time state scoring mark. His former partner, Fitzgerald, long a burr in the collective saddles of a vocal segment of Warriors fandom, is by contrast mostly a goofy propagandist. [28], Kansas won all nine games Azubuike played including against top ten teams Tennessee and Michigan State. 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. [38] On November 24, 2020, the Utah Jazz announced that they had signed Azubuike. 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. Fifteen years ago today, Kelenna Azubuike made his Golden State Warriors debut in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. [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. If Barnett made the perpetually dungeon-bound Warriors bearable from the sidelines, it was Davis who restored pride to the franchise, gave them a jolt of renewed life when they needed it most, while briefly foreshadowing an era of dominance. Warriors TV announcers Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike targeted the Denver . Utah JazzUdoka Azubuike / Current team (#20 / Center)The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. Its time to pay the broadcasting luxury tax and pair Barnett, irreplaceable living legend, with Baron Davis, the bearded dynamo who taught long-suffering Warriors fans to respect themselves once again, or perhaps, for the first time. [1] Azubuike was named to the 2005 SEC All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.0 points in three contests. Fridays news ended lingering uncertainty about Barnetts future with the Warriors. He was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he became a standout player at Victory Christian High School, and was eventually recruited to play for the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky. [2] In his first high school game he was matched up against fellow future Kansas Jayhawk Joel Embiid. Steph Curry and Zion Williamson highlight the list of players who arent available tonight. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. After that, Fitzgerald and Azubuike laughed while they mocked the accent of the Argentinian Campazzo. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. In his first year, Kelenna took home $251,000.Then in the following years, he earned $2.9 Million and $3.3 Million.In the 2010/11 season, Kelenna signed with New York Knicks for $3.3 Million. 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