Jazz select Udoka Azubuike with No. 27 pick
John E. Moore III / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Utah Jazz have selected Kansas center Udoka Azubuike with the No. 27 pick in the NBA draft.
The 21-year-old Nigerian missed the better part of two seasons due to injuries during his four-year run with the Jayhawks, but he was named Big 12 Player of the Year after leading the conference in field-goal percentage and rebounding as a senior.
Bio
Position: C
School: Kansas
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 270 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-8
Standing reach: 9-foot-4
Strengths
- Physical specimen with brute strength and elite big-man tools around the basket
- Natural rim-protector, and averaged two blocks per game in college while improving overall defensively each season
- Has spring in his step considering his size. Registered the highest standing leap among centers in NBA combine history at 37 inches, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony
Weaknesses
- Plays an old-school game as a big man - which has limited use in today's NBA
- No perimeter shot; never attempted a 3-pointer in 87 collegiate games
- Poor free-throw shooter
- Conditioning could be a concern
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