Kansas' Silvio De Sousa Opts out of 2020-21 Season to Focus on 'Personal Issues'
Oct 16, 2020
Kansas forward Silvio De Sousa shoots during a practice session for the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 30, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kansas Jayhawks forward Silvio De Sousa announced on Friday he is opting out of the 2020-21 season.
In a statement on Twitter, De Sousa said he is going to "focus all of my energies on some personal issues" and won't play his senior year:
De Sousa has had a memorable college career since arriving on campus in Lawrence, Kansas. He graduated from IMG Academy early to enroll in college for the 2017-18 season.Ā
After being ruledĀ eligibleĀ by the NCAA, De Sousa debuted for the Jayhawks in January 2018. The Angola native averaged four points and 3.7 rebounds in 20 games as a freshman. He scored a season-high 16 points in Kansas' 81-70 win over West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament championship game.Ā
De Sousa was held out of the 2018-19 season after formerĀ Adidas consultant T.J. GassnolaĀ testifiedĀ he paid the forward $2,500 to De Sousa's guardian as part of the NCAA pay-for-play scandal.Ā
Following an appeal in which the NCAAĀ ruledĀ De Sousa eligible, he returned to play for the Jayhawks last season. He appeared in 18 games, but wasĀ suspendedĀ 12 games by the Big 12 for his role in a brawl between Kansas and Kansas State following a Jan. 21 win by the Jayhawks.Ā
De Sousa averaged 3.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and shot 59.3 percent from the field in 38 games during his college career.Ā
Kansas' Bill Self Considering Lawsuit Against NCAA over Recruiting Investigation
Jun 18, 2020
MANHATTAN, KS - FEBRUARY 29: during the second half at Bramlage Coliseum on February 29, 2020 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self is considering legal action against the NCAA amid the organization's ongoing infractions investigation against him and the Jayhawks program, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.
"Without limiting Mr. Self's claims, he is considering bringing legal action against the NCAA and NCAA officers, employees and representatives for negligence, breach of contract, defamation, fraud, tortious interference with contract and tortious interference with prospective contract,"Ā Scott Tompsett, Self's attorney, wrote toĀ NCAA vice president of legal affairs and general counsel Scott Bearby on June 12.
The NCAA charged the Jayhawks with five Level I violations (the most severe) and said the program committed "egregious" and "severe" violations thatĀ "significantly undermine and threaten the NCAA Collegiate Model," per Schlabach.
Most notably, the organization also wrote Self and assistant coach Kurtis TownsendĀ "embraced, welcomed and encouraged"Ā representatives from Adidas, which sponsors the Jayhawks, to sway recruits to attend the school.
KU has since disputed all the allegations, making the following remarks in part last March, per Schlabach:
"In this case, stemming from federal criminal trials in 2018, there are several facts that are in dispute; there are assumptions made; and, perhaps most importantly, there are unprecedented and novel theories put forward that, if found to have merit by the Panel, would dramatically alter the collegiate sports landscape in ways not contemplated by the Membership."
The investigation of KU is part of widespread allegations against numerous Division I men's basketball programs involving pay-for-play schemes involving representatives from apparel companies allegedly trying to steer recruits to certain schools in exchange for money and/or benefits.Ā Seven schools have been hit with NCAA notices of allegations, per Schlabach and ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
Adidas representatives (or people allegedly working with Adidas reps) have been brought to court and found guilty, per Schlabach. Of note,Ā James Gatto, Merl Code and Christian Dawkins were found guilty of felony charges ofĀ fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, although all three are appealing their convictions.
As for Self, Tompsett defended his client by writing that the allegationsĀ "are erroneously premised upon an arbitrary, misguided and unprecedented interpretation and application of NCAA booster and recruiting legislation."
He also added in part:
"The record is clear and undisputedāpayments allegedly made to the families/guardians of the three student-athletes cited in the [NCAAĀ amended notice of allegations]Ā were intentionally concealed from KU, Mr. Self and his coaching staff. Indeed, the ANOA does not allege that Mr. Self is culpable in any way, shape or form for the alleged payments."
Self has a lifetime 728-214 record with Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois and Kansas, which he led to the 2009 national championship. The 57-year-old has coached the Jayhawks for 17 seasons.
NCAA: 'Few Facts Are in Dispute' After Kansas' Response to Notice of Allegations
May 7, 2020
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBUARY 17: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after a foul call against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse on February 17, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
The NCAA and the University of Kansas remain at odds as to the culpability of men's basketball coach Bill Self and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend as it relates to alleged violations within the program.Ā
Kansas shared the reply it received from the NCAA on MondayĀ regarding possible infractions by the football and basketball teams:
"While the football allegations involve alleged Level II and III violations, which are serious alleged violations, there can be no doubt the men's basketball allegations are egregious, severe and are of the kind that significantly undermine and threaten the NCAA Collegiate Model. ...Ā Regarding the men's basketball allegations, very few facts are in dispute."
The organization added that "where the parties diverge from the NCAA enforcement staff is on the key issue of responsibility" and that Self and Townsend "have accepted no responsibility for this conduct."
Kansas became wrapped up in the FBI's investigation into college basketball corruption.Ā Yahoo SportsĀ reported in November 2018 that federal authorities allowed NCAA investigators to begin conducting their own review.
CBSSports.com'sĀ Dennis DoddĀ reported in March 2019 the NCAA had turned its focus toward the Jayhawks, with the scope not just limited to basketball.
A lawyer for former Adidas executive James Gatto said during trial in October 2018 that Self and Townsend had requested a $20,000 payment to Fenny Falmagne, the "handler" for 2018 recruit Silvio De Sousa, per ESPN'sĀ Mark Schlabach.
In its enforcement reply, the NCAA didn't explicitly reference De Sousa but said that Kansas "does not dispute that Adidas and its employee and consultant provided at least $100,000 to the families of three men's basketball prospective student-athletes the institution was recruiting."
The NCAAĀ charged KansasĀ with five Level I violations and two Level II violations, the most serious of which was a lack of institutional control.
KansasĀ responded in MarchĀ to say "the allegations brought against our men's basketball program are simply baseless and littered with false representations."
Sports Illustrated'sĀ Michael ShapiroĀ noted the timing of the NCAA's most recent communication could allow for the completion of the case by the start of the 2020-21 season.
Kansas' Devon Dotson Reportedly Will Declare for 2020 NBA Draft
Apr 13, 2020
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBUARY 1: Devon Dotson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Allen Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Kansas guard Devon Dotson reportedly will declare for the 2020 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining two years of eligibility.Ā Ā
Jeff Goodman of Stadium reported the news on Monday.
The sophomore will have an opportunity to withdraw from the draft by June 15 if he doesn't like what he hears from NBA personnel.
Bleacher Report'sĀ Jonathan WassermanĀ listed him as the No. 37 overall player in the 2020 draft class in his postseason big board.
Dotson showcased his potential throughout the 2019-20 season, leading the Jayhawks with 18.1Ā points per game to go with his averages of 4.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals.
He was the go-to option for a team that finished 28-3Ā and was ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press poll, even though the NCAA tournament was canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The North Carolina native was a 247Sports 5-star recruit and McDonald's All-American out of high school and made an impact right away for Kansas, averaging 12.3 points and 3.5 assists per game as a freshman.
The 6'2" guard has displayed excellent on-ball defense throughout his career while showcasing a versatile offensive skill set that featured quality outside shooting in his first season.
There was a decline in outside shooting this past season, with him finishing 30.9 percent from three-point range, but his 36.3 percent mark as a freshman should be enough for teams to believe it was just a fluke.
Dotson will now try to make his mark at the next level, potentially following in the path of recent Kansas point guard Devonte' Graham.
It also means there will be significant turnover for the Jayhawks going into 2020-21 with other key players set to leave the program.
Kansas' Bill Self Says Devon Dotson Could've Been 'The Best PG to Play Here'
Apr 8, 2020
MANHATTAN, KS - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks instructs Devon Dotson #11 during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats on February 5, 2019 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
Kansas head coach Bill Self provided high praise for Devon Dotson, even if theĀ cancellation of the 2020 NCAA men's tournament put a damper on the guard's chance to secure his legacy at Kansas.
"Devon, to me, could have been the best point guard to play here that I've had, but it's hard to judge that when you win one NCAA tournament game as a freshman and then you donāt get the chance to play it as a sophomore," Self said, per CJ Moore of The Athletic. "If that's the end of your career, it's obviously incomplete."
Dotson has yet to announce whether he will enter the 2020 NBA draft, but a big tournament could've put him in line with the top Jayhawks in history. On March 13,Ā Bleacher Report'sĀ Jonathan WassermanĀ listed him as the No. 37 overall prospect in this year's class.
"... I really think the table was set for him to go down as one of the all-time greats here and possibly the best guard ever I coached here," Self said.Ā Ā
Dotson had a solid freshman year, averaging 12.3 points per game, but he took the next step as a sophomore in 2019-20, recording 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals per contest.
He was the go-to option for a team that finished No. 1 in theĀ Associated PressĀ poll after a 16-game winning streak.
Adding an NCAA title would have given Dotson an impressive resume in just two years, although there is a lot of competition to be the best point guard in the Self era (since 2003).
Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins helped claim a national championship for the Jayhawks, while Frank Mason won the Wooden Award in 2017. Devonte' Graham,Ā Aaron Miles and Tyshawn Taylor also had impressive careers at Kansas.
Although the lack of opportunity could limit Dotson's legacy, Self added:Ā "I think that Devon Dotson had the best year of any point guard that we've ever had at his age. Nobody's had a better sophomore season than what Devon's had."
Kansas' Marcus Garrett Wins Naismith Men's Defensive Player of Year Award
Apr 1, 2020
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Guard Marcus Garrett #0 of the Kansas Jayhawks watches a free throw during the second half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Kansas Jayhawks junior guard Marcus Garrett is the 2019-20 Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year.
"First, I would like to thank God," Garrett said in a statement via KU Athletics' official website. "I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates because these awards are won as a team, not individually. I'd also like to thank the Naismith Awards voters. We have a great season as did the other finalists who were also worthy of this award."
He continued: "I hope and pray all are safe with the current happenings worldwide, and we get back to normalcy soon. Rock Chalk!"
The 6'5", 195-pound is just the third player to ever take home this award, with West Virginia's Jevon Carter winning in 2018 and Washington's Matisse Thybulle last year. Thybulle, now with the Philadelphia 76ers, presented the award on CBS Sports HQ's live stream and then congratulated Garrett:
āIām definitely disruptive. I try my hardest just to make it hard on the offensive player.ā - @KUHoops' Marcus Garrett describing his game after winning the @NaismithTrophy Award for Menās Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/jfUqylEGWh
The Dallas native beat out finalists Ashton Hagans (Kentucky), Tre Jones (Duke) and Mark Vital (Baylor). The Jayhawks (28-3) ended the season as the top-ranked team in the AP poll.Ā
Garrett averaged a career-high 9.2 points, 4.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 32.2 minutes per game across 31 starts for the No. 1 Jayhawks. He led the Big 12 in assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.7). His steals per game ranked fifth in the conference, and he also averaged 4.5 deflections per game.
The unsung hero and heart of the @KUHoops defense, Marcus Garrettās Defensive Player of the Year campaign was the driving force for Kansas. pic.twitter.com/mXN27p8wER
Kansas owned the second-best adjusted defensive efficiency (85.5) behind only Virginia (85.1), according toĀ KenPom.
The Jayhawks finished 17-1 in conference play. They were riding a 16-game winning streak before the remainder of the 2019-20 college basketball season was cancelled on March 12 due to the coronavirus crisis.
KUĀ capturedĀ the regular-season Big 12 title outright on March 7, marking the 15th time in the last 16 years it has at least owned a share of the regular-season conference championship.
Kansas Head Coach Bill Self Live-Tweets 2008 National Championship vs. Memphis
Mar 22, 2020
FILE - In this Monday, April 7, 2008, file photo, Kansas' Mario Chalmers shoots a three pointer to take the game in to overtime against Memphis during the championship game at the NCAA college basketball Final Four in San Antonio. Kansas defeated Memphis 75-68 in overtime. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Bill Self was tweeting through it Sunday morning in the best possible way.Ā
The head coach of Kansas ended a Twitter hiatus to provide live commentary on CBS' re-airing of the 2008 national title game against Memphis. In the lead to Mario Chalmers' epic game-tying three at the end of regulation, Self went through all the emotions as he watched the game for the first time in 10 years.Ā
Here's the best from the coach's feed:
Iāve seen this game 50 times. But not in a decade. Exited to watch.
College bb was so good in 2008. All four #1 seeds made it to San Antonio. And we were the lowest rated one. Which means we got the worst hotel of the four.
Felt good at halftime. Did a great job on D Rose. But we knew he could get 20 in a half. And he almost did. 20 or letās say 25 minutes from a pretty good night.
When Derrick Rose hit a circus bank shot that was later ruled a two, Self admitted he had no clue the call was reversed and was stunned to find out 12 years later.
Omg. I had no idea it was a 2. Thought it was 3. I believe alternate official called attention to it. Tv didnāt pick up till then.
CBS announcer Jim Nantz immediately called that the shot of the tournament. He'd be proven very wrong only four minutes later.Ā
Speaking of Rose, Self tried everything he could to contain the star freshman who would wind up the NBA's No. 1 overall pick a few weeks later. The Hall of Fame coach pulled out a few different zone options that ended up backfiring down the stretch despite initially holding Rose to four points in the first half. Even a decade later, Self is still angry with himself. Rose finished the game with 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds.Ā
Ok. They have momentum. I made mistake. Had done a good job on Derrick. Then I go box and 1 a possession. He makes a 3 to get going. Iām an idiot.
When it came time for the Jayhawks' comeback down nine with two minutes left, Self could tell his players had it covered just by looking at them.Ā
Donāt worry folks. Weāve got them over confident. We just canāt score. Their defense was good. And I have no idea what to tell our guys on what will work.
Ok from this point forward watch body language of our guys. Itās perfect. No stooped shoulders. No pointing fingers. No head hung. Total maturity. Proudest moment of a coach.
As the game moved to overtime, it was Self's players who were dictating the huddle, leaving the coach to sit back and take in the final few minutes before winning his first national title.Ā
My guys were saying itās over. Iām saying what are you talking about. But watch first 3 possessions they are perfect. And I mean perfect.
What a game. What a team what a group of individuals. They spoiled us. What a privilege to be their coach. Joe Kurtis Danny Ronnie Mike Lee, what a staff. Thanks for giving me the ride of my life. Love you all.
It's been 12 years since Kansas was crowned the kings of college basketball. For at least one afternoon, Self was able to remind KU fans just what that felt like.Ā
No. 1 Kansas' Bill Self 'In Favor' of Alternate Process to Name NCAA Champion
Mar 16, 2020
WACO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Bill Self in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center on February 22, 2020 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Kansas Jayhawks finished the 2019-20 NCAA men's basketball season at No. 1 in the final AP and USA Today Coaches polls before the NCAA tournament was canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.Ā
Head coach Bill Self would accept the national championship trophy should it be decided by how the regular season concluded, though he acknowledged it wouldn't feel the same.Ā
"I would think, from our standpoint, that would be great," Self told reporters during a teleconference on Monday. "But even if that occurred, and I don't think it would, there'd be a huge asterisk on our side and I'd be the first one to admit it. This would be the year I'd be all in favor because there's a great chance we'd be No. 1 in the country in most everything when all the rankings are turned in."
The 28-3 Jayhawks were riding a 16-game winning streak and had one more regular-season contest left on their scheduleāa matchup with Oklahoma State on March 12.
KUĀ wonĀ the Big 12 regular-season title outright when Baylor lost to unranked West Virginia 76-64 on March 7. The Jayhawks had their streak of 14 consecutive conference titlesĀ snappedĀ last year with Texas Tech and Kansas State as co-winners.
The Big 12Ā announcedĀ Kansas senior big man Udoka Azubuike as Player of the Year and Kansas junior guard Marcus Garrett as Defensive Player of the Year on March 8.
"I want to tell you guys that if we go to the Final Four this year, I get to see her."
Just over a week ago, #kubball senior Udoka Azubuike said in his senior night speech his mom, who lives in Nigeria, would come watch KU play if they made it to Atlanta. This one hurts. pic.twitter.com/kLtzyfWYzV
NCAA vice president Dan Gavitt decided Sunday that 68-team March Madness brackets will not be released, Stadium'sĀ Brett McMurphyĀ relayed.
CNN'sĀ latest numbersĀ show 168,019 worldwide cases of the coronavirus with 6,610 global deaths. There are more than 4,000 people infected in the United States, and 70 people have died in the U.S.
No One Has an Answer for Udoka Azubuike
Mar 10, 2020
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Center Udoka Azubuike of the Kansas Jayhawks gestures
After the final buzzer, the big man known as "Doke" addresses the crowd at center court. It's tradition at Kansas for the seniors to speak on Senior Night, and as the only senior who has been with Kansas for his entire career, Udoka Azubuike does the heavy lifting moments after the Jayhawks polish off a 75-66 win over TCU at Allen Fieldhouse.
The Nigeria native is a storyteller. He speaks to the capacity crowd of 16,300 for more than 13 minutes, recalling personal anecdotes about every coach, trainer and manager in the Kansas program. He thanks coach Bill Self for teaching him about hard work and consistency, and he thanks assistant Norm Roberts for recruiting him so aggressivelyāeven when a 16-year-old Azubuike didn't want to talk on the phone.
Azubuike's story then takes an emotional turn as he thanks his host parents, Harry and Donna Coxsome, with whom he lived while attending high school in Jacksonville, Florida, and who are in attendance for his final home game. "I had a hard time when I first came to the States," Azubuike tells the crowd. "I had a hard life. My father had just died. But they took care of me. When I felt like giving up, they kept me strong."
Then, the finisher. Doke talks about his mother, and there's not a dry eye in the house.
"My mom, she's back in Nigeria," the 7-foot, 270-pound center explains. "The only time I got to see her was the [2018] Final Four. That was the only time I've seen her in a minute. ... I want to tell you guys that we'll go to the Final Four this year, I'll get to see her.
"So Jayhawks Nation, let's go to Atlanta!"
Azubuike thanking Self on senior night: "You taught me a lot about life. You taught me a lot about hard work, about being consistent, and about never giving up." #kubballpic.twitter.com/VxOcszSZbX
While that may be a reasonable expectation for a Kansas team that heads into the Big 12 tournament having won 16 consecutive games, the expectations for the Jayhawks' senior big man are far more uncertain.
The youngest of five siblings (two brothers and two sisters), Udoka was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1999. His father, Fabian, a police officer and his mother, Florence, a middle school teacher, raised the family in Delta, a southern state along the Gulf of Guinea coast. Despite record oil revenues in the early 2000s, the Nigerian government was riddled with corruption.Ā In 2009, a militant Islamic organization called Boko Haram waged an insurgency against the Nigerian government.
Amid the upheaval, the Azubuike family's financial situation deteriorated. Udoka told Bleacher Report's Jason King in 2018 that his mother frequently went without a paycheck in her teaching position. Eventually, his parents resorted to selling whatever they couldāvaluables, services, even furnitureāto generate some income.
"A lot of people didn't have jobs because the government was so bad," Azubuike said in 2018. "For a lot of them, the only way to eat was through violence. They would just walk up to people in the street and attack them and rob them just so they could have money for food."
Making matters worse for the family, Fabian became ill in 2009. What was initially just some swelling in the feet spread across his entire lower body, which gave rise to itchy, tumor-like bumps that made it difficult for Fabian to sleep. Doctors were unable to diagnose the illness, and Fabian died in 2010. Udoka was just 10 years of age.
Two years later, Udoka's life would take another turn, this time at a Basketball Without Borders camp in Nigeria. Azubuike had only just begun playing basketball, but his sheer size (he was 6'8" by the summer of 2013) prompted one of the scouts in attendance to contact Steve McLaughlin, the head coach at Potter's House Christian Academy in Jacksonville. McLaughlin was interested, and soon Azubuike set off for high school in the States.
In Florida, the Coxsomes proved to be a welcoming presence. They ushered him from store to store to find clothes that fit and worked to find food that he liked as he transitioned to life in the U.S. The fact that the Coxsomes were devout Christians also helped ease the worries of Udoka's mother, who was deeply religious herself.
Almost from the moment he stepped on the court, Azubuike got a glimpse of his basketball future. In his first game as a high school freshman,Ā according to B/R's story in 2018,Ā Azubuike went up against future Kansas star and Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid. A senior at The Rock School in Gainesville, Embiid had moved from Cameroon to Florida the year before.
Only four years after he began playing basketball, Udoka Azubuike scored nine points and eight rebounds in 15 minutes in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game.
Azubuike went on to become a four-year starter at PHCA and averaged 16.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game his senior year. A member of the National Honor Societyāa point of pride for the big manāhe played in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, becoming ESPN's No. 22 player in the class of 2016. With offers from Kansas, North Carolina and Florida State to choose from, Azubuike settled on the Jayhawks, thanks in large part to the relentless recruiting by Roberts. When Embiid called Harry Coxsome on behalf of Kansas, the decision was all but made.
Chances for Azubuike to reunite with his family have been few since he moved to America.Ā The NCAA provides $3,000 to $4,000 stipends to assist players' families in attending the Final Four, so Azubuike hopes that a deep tournament run would allow for another reunion in Atlanta. In 2018, it took a nonimmigrant travel visa, obtained with some help from Kansas U.S. Representative Kevin Yoder, to get Florence Azubuike to the States. Even if his mother doesn't make it back this year, Udoka could already count one special family moment earlier in the year.
In late February, one day before Azubuike's 19 points and 16 rebounds led KU to a rout of Oklahoma State, he found out that his older brother Chima Azuonwu would be in attendance to watch the game in person. The brothers hadn't seen each other in 10 years, and the game was the first time Chima had ever seen his "little" brother ball. Azuonwu, a 6'11" center, received a scholarship to play at Tennessee State, but a knee injury ended his career. Now living in Nashville, Azuonwu surprised Azubuike with the trip to Lawrence.
"Doke was proud," Self said after the game. "I left the locker room area at 11ish. Doke still had his brother in there. They were taking pictures. They were the only two left. That was fun to see."
Azubuike is a college basketball anomaly: the dominant college senior. With a game that is based almost entirely on his overpowering size and strength, Azubuike has figured out how to be an exceptional offensive college center without possessing tremendous skill or touch.
His evolution hasn't come without tribulation.
After playing sparingly in an injury-shortened freshman season, projections of potential became reality in Azubuike's sophomore season. He led the nation in shooting with a 77 percent mark only to miss the Big 12 tournament with a sprained MCL. That summer, he declared for the 2018 NBA draft, measuring out with the second-longest wingspan at the combine (7'7", behind only Mo Bamba). But injury concerns gave some scouts pause, and Azubuike returned to school.
Udoka Azubuike had himself a night in his final game at Allen Fieldhouse.
An honorable mention All-Big 12 preseason pick entering the 2018-19 season, Azubuike severely sprained his right ankle in early December 2018. He returned four games later, only to tear a ligament in his right hand, which required season-ending surgery.
As the 2020 NCAA tournament beckons, though, Azubuikeānamed the Big 12 Player of the Year over the weekendāmakes a more convincing case for his NBA future with each passing game. Entering this season, he shed nearly 20 pounds. He's stronger, and his endurance has improved. Always one of the best interior scorers in college basketball, Azubuike leads the nation in field-goal percentage (.748), and he has surpassed Tacko Fall for the best career field-goal percentage in NCAA history (.746).
Perhaps most notable for his future, he has shown an improved ability to not only defend the rim, but also to guard players on the perimeter.
"When you've got the big fella changing the game it seems most every possession on both ends, that bodes well for you," Self told reporters after a Feb. 22 win over then-No. 1 Baylor. "Nobody else in America has a guy like that. Nobody."
Along with sophomore point guard Devon Dotson, a leading candidate for the Naismith College Player of the Year Trophy, Self has a point guard and big man combo that reminds him of some of the most dynamic duos in Kansas basketball history.
"You're looking at Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich or Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur," Self told reporters after the Baylor win. "I don't know that we've ever relied on two guys more than what we rely on those two."
As it does so often this time of year, Kansas has discovered its identity. The Jayhawks are a dominant defensive unit with an efficient four-out, one-in offense predicated on great guard play (Dotson), typical athletic Kansas wings (Marcus Garrett and Ochai Agbaji) and one immovable, inimitable force in the middle. After the 12-game suspension of junior forward Silvio De Sousa for his role in the Jan. 21 brawl at Kansas State, Self has placed even more responsibility on Azubuike's broad shoulders. In his quest for a second national title, the head coach's best hope for hardware is Azubuike.
"You don't realize how big he is until you see him in person," CBS analyst Clark Kellogg says. "Kansas isn't as proficient as they've been in the past because they're missing a dynamic wing like Andrew Wiggins or Brandon Rush, but with Azubuike, they punish you for 40 minutes."
A national championship in Atlanta may be Azubuike's sole focus of the present. But there's basketball life beyond April 6, and Doke knows his NBA future likely depends on a run of sheer dominance through the NCAA tournament.
But as opportunities in the NBA keep drying up for players of his ilk, no one knows for sure what his role will be as a professional. A career 41.6 percent free-throw shooter, Azubuike has his share of doubters about whether he'll develop a reliable enough mid-range jump shot to make him a rotation player. Still, his size and strength are intriguing.
Azubuike shot almost 75 percent from the field and blocked almost three shots per game as a senior this season.
Bleacher Report NBA analyst Jonathan Wasserman does not have Azubuike included in his latest first-round mock draft, but ESPN has him No. 33 overall on theirĀ best available player rankings. One thing going for the big man? His age. At 20, he may have more upside than older college seniors.
"He's not highly skilled, but he's good with the ball when he catches it, and he's a great finisher," one NBA scout says. "He's a force. When you're that big and strong, teams are going to want to give you a shot. He could be an effective rebounder and rim-runner in the NBA."
Just eight years after he first touched a basketball, Azubuike's skills are improving. In previous seasons, a bulkier iteration sort of bumbled through the paint, uncomfortable with the ball in his hands anywhere farther than four feet from the basket. Now? He catches the ball in the post and assesses the defense. He has a better understanding of pick-and-roll reads, passing out of the low post and knowing when to back-cut from the weak side for an easy alley-oop. In short, his instincts have improved, and his movements are more natural.
Whether that's the product of six months of film study while sidelined, his increased athleticism thanks to weight loss or both, no one knows for sure. But it's a fact. And it's made him the most overwhelming physical force in the nation.
"I wouldn't have been able to do this my freshman year," Azubuike told reporters after the win over Baylor. "... I've had a lot of people say, 'He can't do this, he can't do that,' All my life I have been looked down on on everything. So coming out here and playing the way I played and giving it all to my team just made me emotional."
Despite what he can't do, the heights that Azubuike can climb have never been more apparent, his ceiling never higher. Will he lead Kansas to another national title? Is he a capable starter in the modern NBA? Some answers only come in time.
Ā Ā
Matthew Foley is a writer based in New York. His freelance work has been featured inĀ SLAM,Ā theĀ New York Times, Ozy and theScore. Follow him on Twitter:Ā @mattyfoles.
Kansas' Udoka Azubuike Named 2020 Big 12 Player of the Year
Mar 8, 2020
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Center Udoka Azubuike of the Kansas Jayhawks gestures
One day after his team celebrated an outright regular-season conference title, Kansas starĀ Udoka Azubuikewon the Big 12's 2019-20 Player of the Year.
Azubuike averaged 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 31 games for the Jayhawks.
— Kansas Menās Basketball (@KUHoops) March 8, 2020
Azubuike wasn't the only Kansas player honored. Marcus Garrett was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Devon Dotson was named to the All-Big 12 first team.
The 7-footer was limited to nine games as a junior after undergoingĀ season-ending surgeryĀ on his hand. KansasĀ announcedĀ last April he'd be back for his senior campaign.
"Udoka knows that he still has some unfinished work left in college and at the University of Kansas, and he has let us know that he is very excited about the potential for next year's team and the role in which he would have," coach Bill Self said.
Azubuike returned with a vengeance and took his game to another level when Kansas started Big 12 play. He averagedĀ 14.0 points, 11.6 boards and 3.0 blocks and was one of the biggest reasons the top-ranked Jayhawks dropped only one Big 12 game.
Without Azubuike in the lineup,Ā Kansas lost to Auburn in the second round of the 2019 NCAA tournament. Now the team is firing on all cylinders with the Big 12 tournament tipping off Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri.
Parity has reigned supreme throughout the season, but a second trip to the Final Four in three years is an attainable goal as long as Azubuike continues to be a dominant presence inside.
