Azubuike was selected with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. Now, why would Baron ever, in a million Earth years, actually do this? Lets move on with dignity. He was waived by the Knicks on 28 February 2011. Warriors majority owner and trophy-cuddler Joe Lacob bet on the wrong horse, or rather, didnt want anything to do with the right horse. [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. [1] His father, Fabian, was a police officer, and his mother, Florence, was a middle school teacher. 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. Davis, despite his relatively short stint in the Bay Area, is very much beloved. N.Y Knicks player Kelenna Azubuike attends the launch of the new Trident Vitality gum at the Gansevoort Park Avenue on December 8, 2010 in New York City. You dont have to put on makeup.. They all but outright. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 34 player in the nation in 2002. 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.The convention brought together many of the world's political and business leaders to focus attention and . Some FAQs Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? Azubuike has been involved with many humanitarian causes during his time in the NBA. [16] His field goal percentage broke the single-season record for Kansas and the Big 12 Conference. [4]In 2007-08, he averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes of action. Golden State, fresh off five consecutive NBA Finals appearances and three championships, will move across the bay next season to the new Chase Center in San Francisco. Nuggets guard Austin Rivers isnt happy with a pair of Warriors TV announcers for voicing copout and disrespectful comments about him and his teammate, Facundo Campazzo, during Denvers 89-86 win at Golden State on Tuesday. And also, at least at one point, a dangerous one. Barnett fully expected to move into an ambassadors role with the team at the time. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Its always a minorly uplifting sight when the camera fleetingly catches him calling Warriors games. Rounding up all the Warriors and NBA news from around the web. "[31], Azubuike scored a career-high 29 points in a 9084 overtime win over Dayton on November 27, 2019. Net Worth: Undisclosed. So, Im eternally grateful., Said Barnett: Im glad I was able to help him get into this profession. He had his own perspective, his own point of view, his own firsthand wisdom from his playing days that he was able to distill brilliantly to the average viewer for the length of any random broadcast. I think it will be a better season than a lot of people think, Azubuike said. B. Diddy in the bay once again. [25] On January 5, 2019, Azubuike injured his wrist during practice. He eagerly embraced the idea of working alongside play-by-play veteran Tim Roye on radio broadcasts. Kroichick writes features on the Warriors during the NBA season, and various other topics - ranging from the 49ers/NFL and major-league baseball to college football and basketball - the rest of the year. [2] Azubuike was a four-year starter averaging 16.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game his senior year. Azubuikes effectiveness as a pick-and-roll finisher may be as strong as any other Jazzmans. [29], On April 22, 2019, Azubuike announced he would return to Kansas for his senior season. Exclusive: Stunning photos show Yosemite National Park under 15 feet of Warriors treating Andrew Wiggins with understandable patience, but his James Wiseman, leadership genius? The Eastern champions have won 38 championships while the Western champions have won 32 championships. Trivia. Im excited to bring my personality to it and talk to fans about why things are happening. Nationality: England. Azubuike was the first call-up of the D-League season. Whenever one hears about ESPN dropping a new "30 for 30" documentary . How old is Udoka? Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. Cookie Notice ), there are zero hard feelings. Unlike past years, Lucia did not include any analysis and/or fan commentary with the rankings, so we don't know exactly what kind of gripes fans had against the work of Fitzgerald and Azubuike. 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 went 4/4 from the field in that brief stint. As I mentioned, Azubuike was a solid in-studio analyst. [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. [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. You make that deal. He looked like a soccer player there., Then, Azubuike mocked Campazzos accent and said, How can you call this? [6] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. [4]Azubuike was selected to play in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Boys Game,[5] Jordan Brand Classic,[6] and Nike Hoop Summit. He loves the game, he loves the players, and he very clearly loved his old job. Baron Davis joining Barnett as his commiserating-mate is an obvious choice on multiple levels. , Its always a tough thing, when someone has been doing such a great job for so long and then change happens. [1], In April 2005, Azubuike announced his plans to enter the draft after his junior year, signing with agent Joel Bell and ending his college eligibility. Azubuike underwent successful surgery today to repair multiple ankle and foot ligaments in his right foot to stabilize the Subtalar joint. What can the Knicks do for an encore after the thrilling h MLB's rule changes will only bring needless new degree of confusion, Yankees may get solution to to glut of infielders after NL teams' misfortune, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. Barnett was too appreciated by the Warriors public to ever truly belong to Lacob. 22 years (September 17, 1999)Udoka Azubuike / Age. [39] Azubuike was assigned to the Jazz's NBA G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, for the start of the 2021 G League season, making his G League debut on February 10, 2021. Barnett spent 11 seasons as a guard in the NBA, including three with the Warriors, when he averaged 11.9 points per game. Golden State Warriors broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike have been criticized for making fun of Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo The pair were calling the game on NBC. The surgery was performed in Indianapolis by foot and ankle specialist Dr. David Porter in consultation with Jazz team physician Dr. Travis Maak. 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. 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. After that, Fitzgerald and Azubuike laughed while they mocked the accent of the Argentinian Campazzo. With a year of NBA experience under his belt, Azubuike has quickly developed into a legitimate NBA shooting guard, displaying a much more well rounded skill set than he did earlier in his career. On July 17, 2008, Azubuike signed an offer sheet with the Clippers of a three-year, $9 million contract , with Golden State having seven days to match it. Barnett was willing to criticize when the situation called for it, and Azubuike expects to do the same. And the fan base adored him, so much so that the outpouring of support (and the inability to secure Brent Barrys services) when his forced retirement was announced even delayed his exile for a few years. While being a two-way player yet he called me overpaid?, Seems the Warriors announcers arent too fond of Austin Rivers pic.twitter.com/KL2yIIYfs0. Barnett, 75, has been with the Warriors since 1984. The injury, plus a botched surgery that left his kneecap up against his quadriceps, ultimately ended his NBA career. Hopefully roles where they can avoid unforced errors like impersonating Facundo Campazzos accent, but that remains to be seen. 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 . [1] He is a Christian music fan and enjoys creating his own music. For more information, please see our And not to worry, Bob Fitzgerald wont be forcibly retired either. Weird vibes. [5] Please enter a valid email and try again. But most of us endure it. The couple recently made headlines after getting married earlier in October 2022. [24] On December 4, 2018, he severely sprained his right ankle against Wofford and missed the following four games. 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 . [3], He played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Georgia Stars in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Simply put, hes a strange man. [1] While attending the University of Kentucky, Azubuike majored in business marketing. 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. Former National Basketball Association players, "Blow for Britain as London-born Kelenna Azubuike is denied passport", http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/us_sport/article3111497.ece, http://www.insidehoops.com/azubuike-waived-102406.shtml, "Warriors Sign Kelenna Azubuike to Contract", http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/Kelenna_Azubuike_Signing_Release.html, Warriors Re-Sign Kelenna Azubuike To Contract, Sources: Clips, swingman Azubuike agree to multiyear offer sheet, Sources: Warriors keep Azubuike, match Clippers' offer. Born in London to Nigerian parents, Azubuike moved to the United States as a child. [20] Since then, he has been assigned to announce 11 of the 19 NBA D-League games produced by NBA TV in 2016. The Dubs have won five straight and Stephs return is on the horizon! But its been the great honor of my life to plot this coup on his behalf. Im so pumped. Stephen Curry has not only led a Warriors resurgence since entering the league, he has changed the game with his long-distance shooting. Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? [22] On May 30, 2018, he announced his intent to withdraw from the draft and return to Kansas for his junior season. [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. Utah JazzUdoka Azubuike / Current team (#20 / Center)The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. Im not trying to be Jim Barnett hes one of a kind, and nobody can do that. Hes charismatic, knowledgeable, quite funny, and with his business acumen and growing portfolio of investments, seems like the sort of guy who might actually enjoy being adjacent to Silicon Valley and all that associated nonsense. Why did Kelenna Azubuike retire? In the 200506 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. [13] Udoka started every game of the regular season but missed the Big 12 tournament after spraining his left MCL. Wikipedia, University of KansasUdoka Azubuike / College (20162020)The University of Kansas is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and several satellite campuses, research and educational centers, medical centers, and classes across the state of Kansas. 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]. Fifteen years ago today, Kelenna Azubuike made his Golden State Warriors debut in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. The most notable thing Azubuike did as a Knick was sell his No. 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. The fit is wrong. [1] Azubuike is a Christian. He shot nearly 50% from three-point range, something that Don Nelson really liked. Hes done an outstanding job the last few seasons as a member of our pre, halftime and post-game shows on NBC Sports Bay Area, 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. Then You Haven't Met Kansas' Udoka Azubuike", Potters House hoops star Udoka Azubuike commits to Kansas, "Five-star UK target Azubuike a menace to rims", Josh Jackson and Udoka Azubuike impress at McDonald's All-American Game, Udoka Azubuike honored at first stop of the Jordan Brand Classic Senior Night Tour, Kansas commit Udoka Azubuike added to World Select Team at Nike Hoop Summit, Five-star basketball recruit Udoka Azubuike picks Kansas, Four-star center Udoka Azubuike commits to Kansas, KU freshman Udoka Azubuike out for the season with wrist injury, "Udoka Azubuike out for Big 12 Tournament, KU hopeful he can return for NCAAs", "Nigeria approves Udoka Azubuike's mother's visa to travel to USA", "A former KU center analyzes the game of Jayhawks big man Udoka Azubuike", "This decade, no player has done what KU's Udoka Azubuike just did", "Devont Graham, Bill Self take home coaches' All-Big 12 basketball awards", "Devont Graham, Bill Self win AP All-Big 12 awards", "Kansas' Udoka Azubuike entering draft without agent", "Udoka Azubuike withdraws from NBA Draft. And he threw down a lot of spectacular dunks. Austin Rivers is not happy with comments that the Golden State Warriors' broadcasting team made on Tuesday night. Warriors vs. Pelicans injury report: So many absences for both teams. [14], On 23 March 2012, Azubuike was signed by the Dallas Mavericks. Both also are scheduled to join Fitzgerald for the first telecast from Chase Center. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. [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. [2] Playing for Victory Christian High School, Azubuike led his team to the state title as a sophomore. The Dallas Mavericks signed swingman Kelenna Azubuike to fill the roster spot vacated by Thursday's release of Sean Williams. Roll out an unpredictable delightful chaos, not the bumbling paint-by-numbers sort Fitzgerald and Azubuike are currently ladling out. 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. While his NBA career was cut short by a devastating freak injury less than three years later, a broadcasting career was born that night. [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. [17] On 28 June 2012, during the 2012 NBA Draft, Azubuike was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had more dunks than any other college player going back to the 20092010 season. In Azubuike's 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). [15] Its important to note that while Azubuike is moving into the seat Barnett occupied for 34 years, he owes a debt of gratitude to Barnett, who entered broadcasting nine years after his retirement in 1977. 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. Ridiculous stuff. This is cause for celebration. Azubuike is also the co-founder of The Athletes' Corner, which is a nonprofit organization working with professional athletes to create faith-based and family-focused media content. [12] Before the injury, he averaged 5.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 62.9% field goal percentage. The season cant get here soon enough.. [36] Azubuike's career field goal percentage of 74.9% is an NCAA record.[37]. 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. The Golden State Warriors signed him for four years worth $7 Million. The Denver Nuggets are the only NBA team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit multiple times in the same year (2020). He played four seasons with Golden State, starting with the 2006-07 We Believe team that beat top-seeded Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. [10] In the final hour, Golden State matched the offer made by the Clippers on 24 July 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior. 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. Azubuike played three years for the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging 15 points per game in his junior season. Hes fairly knowledgeable about the game, reasonably prepared, generally knows how to pronounce last names and always seems to remember if someone is from one of the Congos. Heres where California reservoir levels stand after this weeks rains. 62. What ever happened to Kelenna Azubuike? What can the Knicks do for an encore after the thrilling highs of 2021? 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. At the end of the second quarter, broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike specifically poked fun at the Nuggets players and seemed to suggest Rivers was overpaid while being coached by his father with the Clippers from 2015-18. Once they do that, then anything can happen.. 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. Azubuike lost his father to an undiagnosed disease at the age of 10. That was clearly a foul. Think this kinda funny especially since its coming from a guy who has never played a game of basketball in his life, Rivers wrote of Fitzgerald under an Instagram video highlighting the announcers remarks. Hes very capable and hes a class guy. If chaos is in the cards, trade up for the fun kind. Pilfer Mark Jones from the Kings. Azubuike entered the 2005 NBA Draft after his junior year. [4][7], After going undrafted, Azubuike was signed by the Golden State Warriors on 2 January 2007. The former Mansfield (Texas) High School standout played in 24 games on multiple assignments to the Mavericks' D-League affiliate in Frisco, averaging 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks for the Del Harris-coached Texas Legends. The Warriors' broadcast team of Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike have drawn ire from off-hand remarks during Tuesday night's Golden State-Denver broadcast. Basketball Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. The defunct Central Division won one championship in 1950. It seemed like he was going to progress into a solid player, and then poof a knee injury seems to end his career? Azubuike relocated with his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1989 when his father was offered a fellowship at Saint Francis Hospital; his family became American citizens. [2] His parents were doctors and had moved to London for work. Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Absolute legend. Im very grateful for everything Ive had over the years. Barnetts continued involvement is sure to be embraced by fans, who have grown accustomed to his knowledgeable point of view and ability to articulate the nuances within the game. Here's what his return means for KU", "K-State, KU well represented on All-Big team", "Jayhawks sit out Udoka Azubuike due to wrist injury", "Kansas' Udoka Azubuike to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery on Right Hand", "Self: Doc says Azubuike's surgery 'couldn't have gone any better', "KU Coach Bill Self Laments Loss of Azubuike", "Udoka Azubuike to return for senior season", 7-foot center Udoka Azubuike returning to KU for senior season, "No. Tim is a really good guy, and does a great job. Will Bay Bridge go dark forever? 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. Tuning into a Warriors game means subjecting yourself to two hype-men inelegantly bumbling into one another for 2.5 hours. [26] An MRI revealed he tore a ligament in his right hand. Strange references. Azubuike (ankle) has been ruled out for Fridays game against the Clippers, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The good news is its not as though Barnett has renounced calling Warriors games and embraced the life of a curmudgeonly hermit. Golden State Warriors television broadcast announcers Bob Fitzgerald and Jim Barnett at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, March 31, 2019. Azubuike has also worked as an analyst for the NBA on ESPN Radio since 2022. He obviously brings some history with the Warriors and their rise to prominence; Azubuike was Stephen Currys teammate on the 2009-10 team. He was too tall (this is very threatening to the extremely wealthy). Hed still be great, or at least pretty good in that role. [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. Why the Warriors should replace Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike with Jim Barnett and Baron Davis. Beginning in 2019, he became the television analyst alongside Bob Fitzgerald, replacing Jim Barnett, who had been the color analyst for the last 34 seasons and is now the color analyst on KGMZ-FM's 95.7 The Game. As basically everyone who has ever been irritated with Fitzgerald on a nightly basis for years and years will grudgingly admit, hes a competent, even pretty good play-by-play guy. Hes handsome, educated and has a gift for words.. While Kelenna scored just four points in his debut, he was in the starting lineup the next night. When the Warriors make their regular-season debut at Chase Center in October, there will be plenty of new faces, beginning with the teams roster. Email: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick. He did not initially hire an agent, which would allow him to return before the combine. [23], Azubuike has three siblings: Nonzo, Nesochi and Adaeze. For the 20172018 season, Kansas' coach Bill Self recruited Kansas football player James Sosinski to defend Azubuike during practice. (He's) the kind of athlete that we're trying to find for our team.". Azubuike takes the job at a fascinating point in Warriors history. Hes going to be good. It resurrects a deep and abiding connection that was severed too early, too abruptly. Rona Azubuike is the wife of former professional basketball player and sports analyst Kelenna Azubuike. Hes found a workaround from being phased out, still plies his wisdom and his trademark avuncular wit on the radio side of things. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Azubuike was the youngest of 3, with two older brothers and two older sisters. pic.twitter.com/17FXszxmEe, Just a few minutes later, Campazzo was arguing a foul call when Fitzgerald said on the broadcast, Campazzo likes to get scrappy and then look aggrieved all the time., Azubuike chimed in, adding, See, this is how you lose your credibility. 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. It's easy to forget that he's only 35, as his career was cut short by a brutal knee injury suffered playing for the Warriors early in the 2009-10 season. Endure it, and think what could have been, had the Warriors not put the universally beloved Jim Barnett out to pasture. Others are cautiously optimistic that by 2029 or so, Fitzgerald and Azubuike will really start to gel and find their rhythm. [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 short, nobody loves this relatively new-ish duo. 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. Azubuike will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. Im not a bean counter, Im a dreamer. 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. 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. And though Mr. Boom Dizzle opted out in 2008 and tried to start a super-team with Elton Brand in Los Angeles (weird sentence! 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. 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. 27, trade center Tony Bradley and 38th pick to Pistons", 2020 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Udoka_Azubuike&oldid=1122683863, All-American college men's basketball players, Basketball players from Jacksonville, Florida, Amateur Athletic Union men's basketball players, Nigerian expatriate basketball people in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 November 2022, at 00:36. Hes too good to only be calling away games on the radio. Late in the second quarter, while Rivers was at the free throw line, Fitzgerald and Azubuike began discussing the 29-year-old guard and his familial ties within the league. He finished his high school career as the second all-time leading scorer in Oklahoma prep basketball history after amassing 3,530 career points. Steph Curry and Zion Williamson highlight the list of players who arent available tonight. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. Barnett, 75, has on numerous occasions worked with Roye on radio, usually in postseason games on national TV. A possible solution to the pure play-by-play quandary is to bring a third person to the already star-studded booth. 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. After a stint at Syracuses Sportscaster U and a recommendation from Warriors broadcaster Jim Barnett, Azubuike became the color commentator we all know and love. [32] On February 22, 2020, Azubuike scored 23 points and had a career-high 19 rebounds in a 6461 win over top-ranked Baylor.