Udoka Azubuike

Udoka Timothy Azubuike, who goes by his mononymous nickname “Doke”, is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player presently employed by the Phoenix Suns’ roster in the NBA, fulfilling a two-way contract. Udoka was born on September 17, 1999, in the bustling metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria, and is the youngest of five children, with two older brothers and two older sisters. His late father, Fabian, served valiantly as a police officer, and his mother, Florence, shaped young minds as a middle school teacher. Tragedy struck his family when Udoka was only ten years old and his father passed away from an undiagnosed disease.

In 2012, the burgeoning talent of Azubuike received global attention through a program called Basketball Without Borders. He was offered a scholarship to come play basketball in the United States, the land of opportunity in the basketball world. At the Potter’s House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, he was taken under the wing of assistant coach Harry Coxsome and his wife Donna, who soon became his legal guardians. In high school, his impressive average of 16.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game placed him in the spotlight and revealed his enormous potential.

Concurrently, during his high school years, he made a substantial contribution to the Georgia Stars team in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). He participated in the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit, showcasing his skills on a national level. This young man wasn’t just about the jump shots and slam dunks, though. He excelled academically, earning a spot in the National Honor Society.

Azubuike’s prowess on the court was acknowledged when he was rated a five-star recruit and regarded as one of the top-20 prospects in the high school class of 2016. Big-name colleges like Duke, Texas, and Kentucky showed a keen interest, but in the end, he committed to the Kansas Jayhawks at the University of Kansas, launching his collegiate basketball career.

In his freshman season, he got off to a great start before an unfortunate wrist injury ended his season prematurely. He bounced back in the following seasons, overcoming injuries and setbacks and became a valued member of the Kansas Jayhawks, earning multiple accolades such as the Big 12 Player of the Year and NABC Defensive Player of the Year. Taking the celebration of his basketball talents to the NBA was the next logical step. After teasing us with an early draft entry, then withdrawal, Azubuike was eventually drafted by the Utah Jazz in the 2020 NBA Draft.

On November 24, 2020, the Jazz reported that they had officially signed the Nigerian talent. Azubuike got his first taste of the NBA as he made an appearance in the 2021 NBA playoffs. However, adversity didn’t stay away, and a right foot surgery would keep him out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

Undeterred, Azubuike signed a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns in August 2023, and his performance has only continued to improve since. His debut for the Suns was against his former team, where he scored 2 points and had 3 rebounds. On December 20, he achieved his first double-double with the Suns, scoring 11 points and grabbing a season-high 11 rebounds. The future remains bright for this star player as he continues to make a name for himself in the NBA. His journey from Lagos to the NBA has been filled with both trials and triumphs, each step carving the path for what promises to be an outstanding career.