PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns today announced that the team has signed free agent center Udoka Azubuike to a two-way contract.
“Udoka possesses imposing size and the ability to finish around the rim,” said Phoenix Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager James Jones. “His strength and physicality help add to our team’s depth.”
Azubuike appeared in 36 games for the Utah Jazz during the 2022-23 season, averaging 3.5 points on 81.9% shooting and 3.3 rebounds in 10.0 minutes. A 6’-11”, 270-pound center, he scored a career-high 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting in Utah’s win over Sacramento on March 20, starting a stretch in which he averaged 7.5 points on 81.4% shooting and 6.3 rebounds over his final 10 games of the season. The 10-game stretch included four double-digit scoring performances as well as a season-high 11 rebounds in a win over Denver on April 8.
Holding three seasons of NBA experience, the 23-year-old has averaged 3.3 points on 76.9% shooting and 3.0 rebounds in 68 career games (10 starts), all with Utah. Azubuike has recorded eight career games scoring in double figures, four games with double-digit rebounds and one double-double.
Azubuike was the 27th overall pick by the Jazz in the 2020 NBA Draft following four collegiate seasons at the University of Kansas. A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Azubuike still holds the NCAA Division I record for career field goal percentage by shooting 74.9% from the field with the Jayhawks.
His name is pronounced you-DOE-kuh az-uh-BOO-kee.
– Suns.com –