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Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983)[1] is a professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in London, England and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Azubuike became a standout player during his play at Victory Christian High School, and was eventually recruited to play for the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky. After finishing his junior season in college, Azubuike declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft, eventually going undrafted that year. Azubuike then played for the Fort Worth Flyers of the Development League, leading the league in scoring during the 2006-07 season and eventually being called-up to play for Golden State.
[edit] Early life and educationAzubuike was born in London, England to Kenneth and Chy Azubuike.[1] Azubuike was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] Playing for Victory Christian High School, Azubuike led his team to the state title as a sophomore.[1] He eventually became an All-State selection, averaging 39.1 points and 13.3 rebounds and leading his team to the Class 4A State Championship Game as a senior.[1] He was the top scorer in the state of Oklahoma during his last three seasons of high school, averaging 28.5 points as a sophomore and 38.7 points as a junior.[1] Azubuike finished his prep career with 3,530 points, 89 points short of the all-time state scoring mark.[1] [edit] CollegePlaying under coach Tubby Smith, Azubuike said that the biggest improvement to his game at Kentucky was the ability to create offense through intense defense.[2] As a junior, Azubuike was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the Associated Press and the league's coaches after leading the team and ranking tenth in the SEC in points per game, averaging 14.7 overall.[1] Azubuike was named to the 2005 SEC All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.0 points in three contests.[1] During his time with the organization, Azubuike helped the Wildcats to earn two Southeastern Conference titles, two SEC Tournament titles, and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances.[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.[1] While attending the University of Kentucky, Azubuike majored in business marketing.[1] [edit] Professional CareerIn April 2005, Azubuike announced his plans to enter the draft after his junior year, signing with agent Joel Bell and ending his college eligibility.[3] Two months before Azubuike announced he'd be entering the draft, his father had been found guilty on multiple federal indictments, most of them for fraud.[2][4] Azubuike's father was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of more than $340,000, which Azubuike decided to try and pay himself by getting an NBA contract.[4][2] However, Azubuike eventually went undrafted that year.[2] In 2005, the Cleveland Cavaliers brought Azubuike into training camp, but eventually cut him.[2] In the 2005-06 season, Azubuike averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in forty-one games with the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA's Developmental League.[5] Azubuike played with the Denver Nuggets in the 2006 Toshiba Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 16.4 points and finished tied at tenth in the league in scoring.[5] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October.[5] 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 playing for the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Development League, shooting 51.4% from the field and 48.5% from three-point range over twelve games.[6][2] Impressed with his play, on January 2, 2007, the Golden State Warriors signed Azubuike.[2] Azubuike was the first Gatorade Call-Up of the 2006-07 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.[6] During his second season with Golden State, Azubuike expressed an interest in playing for the British team during the build-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, but was denied British citizenship under the 1981 British Nationality Act.[7] On July 17, 2008, Azubuike signed an offer sheet with the Los Angeles Clippers for a three-year deal worth $9 million, with Golden State having seven days to match the offer.[8] In the final hour, Golden State matched the offer made by the Clippers on July 24, 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior.[9] On November 17, 2009, it was announced that Azubuike will miss the remainder of the 2009-10 season because of a torn patella tendon.[10] [edit] NBA career statistics
[edit] Regular season
[edit] Playoffs
[edit] Personal lifeAzubuike has three siblings, Adaeze, Nesochi, and Nonzo.[1] He is a hip hop fan and enjoys creating his own music.[1] During the 2006-07 season, Azubuike made an appearance on Bay Area hip hop station KMEL and conducted an interview while the station played music which he personally produced.[1] Azubuike also likes to play pool in his spare time.[2] He has said that he prefers not to talk about his father's legal matters.[2] Azubuike shares homes in Denver, Colorado and the Bay Area with his brother Nonzo.[2] Azubuike has been involved with many humanitarian causes during his time in the NBA. 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 June 2 to June 6, 2008 in Arusha, Tanzania. 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.[12] [edit] International careerIn 2007 Azubuike applied for British citizenship in an attempt to represent the United Kingdom at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Although he was born in London his application was turned down due to the immigration status of his parents at the time of his birth. He is reported to have lodged an appeal. [edit] References
[edit] External links
Categories: 1983 births | African American basketball players | American basketball players | Basketball players from Oklahoma | Golden State Warriors players | Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball players | Living people | Nigerian Americans | Nigerian basketball players | People from Oklahoma | People from Tulsa, Oklahoma | Shooting guards | Small forwards | Undrafted National Basketball Association players | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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