KU Basketball: Udoka Azubuike makes the right decision

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Udoka Azubuike poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Big news came across the line today as Udoka Azubuike has decided to return to the Jayhawks. This is great news for both KU Basketball and Udoka.

Udoka Azubuike waited as long as he could to make the decision of either going pro or returning for one more season to play for Bill Self and KU Basketball. The decision to return to college is the right one for Udoka’s future and Kansas’ present.

KU Basketball is ranked No.1 in almost every early preseason poll, all the while with the chance Udoka would not return. The Jayhawks will be a unanimous favorite to win their 15th straight Big12 title and a top bet to win the NCAA Championship next March.

Udoka, no doubt, has a career waiting for him in the NBA. With another season at Kansas under his belt, he can solidify his position and work on the things mentioned to him by NBA scouts at the NBA combine.

As long as he stays healthy and has another productive year, his draft stock should rise substantially. This guarantees him and his family more money and just makes perfect sense from a business perspective.

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Udoka finished the season averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds per game. He also led the nation in field goal percentage, shooting 77% and setting a Big12 record. Those numbers will improve as he focuses on the things suggested to him by scouts. Udoka spoke to reporters earlier today according to ESPN.

"I received good feedback from many sources around the NBA over the last month but in the end, after discussing with my family and coaches, we decided it would be in my best interest to return to Kansas for my junior year."

Coach Self will have an extremely deep program in 2018, far from the depth issues that Kansas had last season. The Jayhawks played with seven regulars last season. This year the Jayhawks will be able to play two full rotations at times, plus two more that could get playing time as well.

The Jayhawks will have one of the deepest and toughest frontcourts in all of college basketball next season. Two mentions by coach Self for the Big12 player of the year in Udoka and Dedric Lawson, Silvio De Sousa, David McCormack, Mitch Lightfoot and KJ Lawson all have nice size as well.

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Udoka could work himself into a lottery pick after this season. With the Jayhawks getting plenty of attention and coverage throughout the year, as well as an expected deep run in the tournament, all eyes will be on Udoka now.

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