Theres nothing inherently wrong with being a homer! [18] He was awarded All-Big 12 third team by the conference's coaches[19] and second team by the AP. Austin Rivers is not happy with comments that the Golden State Warriors' broadcasting team made on Tuesday night. Azubuike said Barnett helped connect him to NBC Sports Bay Area and played a huge role in launching Azubuikes second career. W 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. [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. Many of us still feel a certain rawness about the semi-mysterious ouster of Barnett, a certain sadness that Davis left us for the Los Angeles Clippers after a 48-win season that was begging to be avenged. Hes too good to only be calling away games on the radio. A lingering knee injury has forced former Cat Kelenna Azubuike into an early retirement from basketball. newsletter, future vice president of basketball operations. [11], 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. But one can easily imagine why Barnett may have intimidated or otherwise irritated Lacob, a new, hands-on owner looking to replace the cogs and pinions of a former era with his own commissars. Azubuike was born in London, England, to Nigerian parents Kenneth and Chi Azubuike. Sorry fans of FDRs fireside chats, he just is. After finishing his junior season in college, Azubuike declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft, eventually going undrafted that year. I remember him being traded to NY from GS and am pretty sure he was dealing with injuries..was he forced to retire? Im looking forward to it.. Read More, In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Early life. 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. While Kelenna scored just four points in his debut, he was in the starting lineup the next night. Its altogether too simple to decry him as a homer. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. A lingering knee injury has forced former Cat Kelenna Azubuike into an early retirement from basketball. Yet a specter haunts Chase Center (and other assorted arenas) on the sidelines: Festooned to the team like an albatross is the bewildering broadcasting tandem of Bob Fitzgerald and 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. Curry and Draymond Green are the only members of the now-defunct Hamptons Five slated to start the season in the lineup. 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 . Whatever we lose from not having someone explain a shot did or didnt go in will be more than made up for. So, Im eternally grateful., Said Barnett: Im glad I was able to help him get into this profession. We think Kelenna is one of the bright, young stars in the broadcasting business, Warriors President Rick Welts said in a statement. [1], Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Azubuike was listed as the No. During Mondays game against the Washington Wizards, Azubuike even went so far as to describe Steph Curry as a big-time player. I dont know, man. ), there are zero hard feelings. 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. I think it will be a better season than a lot of people think, Azubuike said. Azubuikes yes-man persona is a jarring shift from the presence of Barnett, who did yeomans work smoothing down Fitzgeralds cloying edges. Barnett will return for his 35th season providing opinion and insights, but his medium will change. I dont know. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. Heres where California reservoir levels stand after this weeks rains. 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. The Clippers' offer was matched by the Warriors on July 24, 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior.[6]. 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. The couple recently made headlines after getting married earlier in October 2022. The same will apply to their telecasts and radio broadcasts. Im very happy and grateful to still be employed, Barnett told The Chronicle. What can the Knicks do for an encore after the thrilling highs of 2021? 7 off his back . "He's an energetic, athletic guy that's a very good 3-point shooter. 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. 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". 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. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. "[31], Azubuike scored a career-high 29 points in a 9084 overtime win over Dayton on November 27, 2019. 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. The surgery was performed in Indianapolis by foot and ankle specialist Dr. David Porter in consultation with Jazz team physician Dr. Travis Maak. A possible solution to the pure play-by-play quandary is to bring a third person to the already star-studded booth. 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. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. He did not initially hire an agent, which would allow him to return before the combine. In his freshman season he started in six of the 11 games he played in before tearing ligaments in his left wrist, which ended his season. 7 jersey to Carmelo Anthony. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? Hes going to be good. Weight 270 lbs. Big 12 Men's Basketball Player of the Year winners, "Kansas star will get amazing Final Four moment: Seeing Mom", "Think Reaching the Final 4 Is Tough? Fitzgeralds homerism isnt the genuine, charming if sort of silly homerism of a drunk but passionate fan. Heres who has offered big bucks so far. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Magic, Timberwolves players exchange punches during wild brawl, Ex-Knick calls out Ben Simmons practice tale, NBA guard fumes over ejection for phantom elbow. [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. In 2016, Kroichick and photographer Michael Macor earned "Best Sports Feature" from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, for their series on Antioch High running back Najee Harris, the nation's No. Warriors vs. Pelicans injury report: So many absences for both teams. He obviously brings some history with the Warriors and their rise to prominence; Azubuike was Stephen Currys teammate on the 2009-10 team. He bridges eras and generations with absolute clarity. Kelenna David Azubuike (born December 16, 1983) is an English/American former professional basketball player. Azubuike answered, "Soccer, that's what I was thinking. 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. Hes too noble for this kind of skullduggery. Azubuike was the first call-up of the D-League season. Odds & lines subject to change. Azubuike played three years for the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging 15 points per game in his junior season. [29], On April 22, 2019, Azubuike announced he would return to Kansas for his senior season. Golden State included him in the David Lee trade in 2010, but he didnt play a game for the New York Knicks. Azubuike Emanuel Egwuekwe (born 16 July 1989) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Rivers United as a centre back. What ever happened to Kelenna Azubuike? I really couldn't find much and was wondering if I'm missing something? All I know how to do is be myself.. Kelenna Azubuike (@KelennA7) . [12], On 9 July 2010, Azubuike was traded to the New York Knicks along with Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and a future second-round pick in a sign and trade deal for David Lee. Tuning into a Warriors game means subjecting yourself to two hype-men inelegantly bumbling into one another for 2.5 hours. Aug 05, 2007, 03:48 pm. [25] On January 5, 2019, Azubuike injured his wrist during practice. Why the Warriors should replace Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike with Jim Barnett and Baron Davis. He looked like a soccer player there., Then, Azubuike mocked Campazzos accent and said, How can you call this? 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. 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. Jim sat in this seat for a long time, he said. Kelenna Azubuike is a professional basketball player currently working at NBC Sports Bay Area as the Golden State Warriors television analyst. Privacy Policy. [16] On 20 April 2012, Azubuike played in his first NBA game since 14 November 2009, against the Golden State Warriors. Azubuike mocked Argentine Facundo Campazzo with an accent and they both implied Austin Rivers' contract was a product of nepotism. (He's) the kind of athlete that we're trying to find for our team.". He finished the season averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. Ridiculous stuff. Rivers and the Nuggets (17-16) host the Warriors on Thursday. 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. Cookie Notice [32] On February 22, 2020, Azubuike scored 23 points and had a career-high 19 rebounds in a 6461 win over top-ranked Baylor. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 34 player in the nation in 2002. 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. This site uses different types of cookies. He retired after playing the 2011-12. 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. Its more akin to Lacob-ism, and before that, Cohan-ism. 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. This pairing does create one potential problem, though hardly an insurmountable one: instead of two hype-men, we may now be subject to a sensory overload of excellent anecdotes and play deconstructions, but no one to describe the action (which again, we can see with our eyes). Its Baron Davis. Kelenna Azubuike talks life after basketball. He got up under Andre [Iguodala]., Fitzgerald asked, Well, whats the main sport in Argentina?, Azubuike answered, Soccer, thats what I was thinking. Hopefully roles where they can avoid unforced errors like impersonating Facundo Campazzos accent, but that remains to be seen. [18] He was waived by the Cavaliers on 14 October 2012. Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. 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. Kelenna Azubuike looks like a completely different player than he did last summer. [6] In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. Barnett was too humble. [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. It resurrects a deep and abiding connection that was severed too early, too abruptly. [2] His parents were doctors and had moved to London for work. That remains to be seen. Azubuike has been involved with many humanitarian causes during his time in the NBA. Jazz center Udoka Azubuike underwent successful surgery on Friday to repair multiple ligaments in his right ankle and foot, the team announced. [4]In 2007-08, he averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes of action. Lets not forget how he got here in the first place! After the Warriors matched a multi-year contract offer from the Clippers in the summer of 2008 - perhaps out of anger about the Baron Davis signing - Azubuike started nearly the entire 2008-9 season, averaging 14.4 points per game and making 44.8% of his three-pointers.