AUGUST 8: The signing is official, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic tweets via a team press release.
“Udoka possesses imposing size and the ability to finish around the rim,” GM James Jones said in a statement. “His strength and physicality help add to our team’s depth.”
JULY 31: Free agent center Udoka Azubuike has agreed on a two-way contract with the Suns, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets.
The 23-year-old out of Kansas spent his first three seasons with the Jazz. He appeared in 36 games last year, including four starts, averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.
Overall, he’s appeared in 68 NBA games and has never scored more than 13 points. His career shooting percentage is 76.9%, with most of his buckets coming on layups, dunks and putbacks. The 6’10” Azubuike has never attempted a 3-pointer.
A former first-round pick (No. 27 overall in 2020), Azubuike has dealt with multiple significant ankle injuries, which has impacted his development. Utah declined its fourth-year team option on him before last season started, which is how he wound up in the free agent market.
He played for the Celtics’ Summer League squad this month.
The Suns had two openings for two-way players. Guard Saben Lee occupies the other two-way slot.
Azubuike will have to work his way up the depth chart with the NBA club. He’ll be behind starter Deandre Ayton, Drew Eubanks, Bol Bol and Chimezie Metu.
Azubuike always does his job when called on. Unfortunately that isn’t very often. He isn’t the prototype of the modern NBA center. That said his dominance in the paint is worth a look see. Glad to see him get another shot. If he and Bol do well I wouldn’t be shocked to see Ayton dealt.
GS should of signed him smh. Wish he was 6’11. Odd signing since they have Ayton. Ayton and picks for Capala and Murray. Release metu
B-Ref has him at 6’10”, but still pretty close…
What do you mean, “wish he was 6’11?”
Doke is very athletic for a big man. He just doesn’t have any outside game. Perhaps in the right system he wouldn’t need one. His 3-point closeouts are very fast. He’s a great rebounder and scores very well inside.
The only concerns are again his shooting, but also his recurring injuries, and that he appears to be more reactionary than proactive on both ends. However, he doesn’t seem to have fear, which is very helpful in big games.
We got both of Utah’s 2020 picks on two-way contracts.
Teams think in terms of fitting into a already established system. GS was never going to sign him.