Professional Career
In April 2005, Azubuike announced his plans to enter the draft after his junior year, signing with agent Joel Bell and ending his college eligibility. In the 2005–06 season, Azubuike averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in forty-one games with the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA's Developmental League. Azubuike played with the Denver Nuggets in the 2006 Toshiba Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 16.4 points and finished tied at tenth in the league in scoring. In August 2006, Azubuike was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but eventually waived by October. Playing for Fort Worth of the Development League again, Azubuike averaged 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.17 steals, and a league-best 26.0 points in 37.7 minutes per contest playing for the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Development League, shooting 51.4% from the field and 48.5% from three-point range over twelve games.
Impressed with his play, the Golden State Warriors signed Azubuike on January 2, 2007. Azubuike was the first Gatorade Call-Up of the 2006–07 NBA Development League season, and the 49th player overall to be called-up to the NBA since the D-League began play in November 2001. During his second season with Golden State, Azubuike expressed an interest in playing for the British team during the build-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, but was denied British citizenship under the 1981 British Nationality Act. On July 17, 2008, Azubuike signed an offer sheet with the Los Angeles Clippers for a three-year deal worth $9 million, with Golden State having seven days to match the offer. In the final hour, Golden State matched the offer made by the Clippers on July 24, 2008, allowing Azubuike to remain a Warrior.
On November 17, 2009, it was announced that Azubuike would miss the remainder of the 2009–10 season because of a torn patella tendon.
On July 9, 2010, Azubuike was traded to the New York Knicks along with Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and a future second-round pick in a sign and trade deal for David Lee. Azubuike was waived by the Knicks on February 28, 2011 after failing to suit up the entire season.
On March 23, 2012, Azubuike was signed by the Dallas Mavericks. As part of his comeback, he was assigned to the Mavericks' D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. On April 9, 2012, he was recalled by the Mavericks. On April 20, 2012, Azubuike played in his first NBA game since November 14, 2009, against the Golden State Warriors. During the 2012 NBA Draft, Azubuike was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was waived by the Cavaliers on October 14, 2012.
Read more about this topic: Kelenna Azubuike
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