24 Kelenna Azubuike

Kelenna Azubuike (pronounced Ka-Lynn-ah Ah-ZOO-bookie) was born Kelenna David Azubuike on December 16, 1983, in London, England to Nigerian parents Kenneth and Chinyelu Azubuike.  Azubuike moved to the United States at a young age and quickly made a name for himself as a standout basketball player.

Azubuike was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he attended Victory Christian High School. He excelled on the basketball court, earning national attention for his scoring ability and athleticism. Azubuike led his team to the state title as a sophomore.  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.  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.  Azubuike finished his prep career with 3,530 points, 89 points short of the all-time state scoring mark.  Considered a four-star recruit by Scout.com, Azubuike was listed as the No. 8 small forward and the No. 34 player in the nation in 2002.

His success drew the attention of top collegiate programs, ultimately leading him to commit to the University of Kentucky on April 12, 2002.  He joined Antwain Barbour, Bernard Cote and Brandon Stockton.

Azubuike played for Kentucky under legendary coach Tubby Smith from 2002 to 2005. Known for his combination of size, strength, and scoring ability, he quickly became a key contributor. In his sophomore season, he averaged 11.1 points per game, helping lead the Wildcats to a 27-5 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

During his junior year (2004-2005), Azubuike blossomed into one of the team’s leading players. He averaged 14.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to score both from the perimeter and at the rim. His performance earned him recognition as one of the most talented guards in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Despite forgoing his senior season to enter the 2005 NBA Draft, Azubuike left a lasting legacy as a hard-working and dynamic player for Kentucky basketball.

After going undrafted in the 2005 NBA Draft, Azubuike began his professional career in the NBA Development League (now the G League). He played for the Fort Worth Flyers, where he quickly became one of the league’s leading scorers. His success in the D-League earned him a call-up to the Golden State Warriors during the 2006-2007 NBA season.

Azubuike thrived under head coach Don Nelson’s “small-ball” system, which emphasized fast-paced, high-scoring play. He became known for his explosive dunks, strong perimeter shooting, and defensive effort. Over the next three seasons, Azubuike was a key contributor for the Warriors, averaging 10.6 points and 4 rebounds per game during his tenure. However, injuries, particularly a severe knee injury in 2009, disrupted his promising career.

He later had short stints with teams like the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks, but recurring injuries ultimately forced him to retire from professional basketball in 2012.

Following his retirement, Kelenna Azubuike transitioned to broadcasting. In 2015, he joined the Golden State Warriors’ broadcasting team as a television analyst. Known for his insightful commentary, infectious enthusiasm, and first-hand knowledge of the game, Azubuike has become a respected voice in sports media.

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.