Kansas Jayhawks Basketball: Udoka Azubuike to test NBA waters but should be back

Udoka Azubuike brings the total number of Kansas Jayhawks to declare for the NBA draft to five. Unlike the others, he should be a Jayhawk next season.

As expected, Udoka Azubuike has declared for the NBA draft, but he won’t be hiring an agent. This allows him to return to the Kansas Jayhawks next season if he chooses to do so. Similar to what Svi Mykhailiuk did his junior year, I would expect Udoka to be back.

Devonte’ Graham and Svi both left as seniors, Malik Newman is all in and Lagerald Vick has tested those waters as well. Vick hasn’t signed an agent either, but it appears, either way, his time is done at Kansas.

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Udoka has proven to be a beast down low. He was at times dominant, especially when he managed to stay out of foul trouble. He led the entire NCAA in field goal percentage, but there are plenty aspects of his game that need to be fine-tuned. I personally believe he understands this, just like the teams in the NBA do.

There isn’t much doubt that he could go in this year’s draft, but another year in college could make a huge difference in not only his draft position but the size of his wallet.

It would also be a surprise to see him leave so early since he truly cares about his education. When next season comes to an end, I could see him leaving for greener pastures easily. By that time the natural ebb and flow of collegiate basketball will more than likely have plenty of suitors waiting for their chance.

Kansas already has talent behind him in Silvio De Sousa, Ochai Agbaji, and David McCormack. The bench will be crowded this upcoming season, and with one scholarship left for Romeo Langford, it’s about to become even more crowded.

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Again, the likelihood of Udoka not returning to Kansas is slim. He should be back, but it isn’t a bad idea to see where you stand at the moment. There shouldn’t be too much to worry about.

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