Azubuike blossoming as a prospect

THE RIVALS150: Class of 2014 - Class of 2015

Jacksonville (Fla.) Potter's House center Udoka Azubuike is widely considered

to be one of the top prospects in the 2016 class.

Rivals.com checked out the five-star big man at a recent Nike Team Florida practice. Azubuike will be playing up in age with their 17U team on in the EYBL,

but before that he'll play in the Jordan Brand Classic International Game on Friday, April 18.

"It's an honor to play in the Jordan Brand Classic," Azubuike said. "When I found out I felt great. It's an opportunity for me to go and play in New York. It felt like all the hard work I've been putting in is paying off."

We first saw Azubuike in Sept. 2013 at an Orlando exposure event. He was a raw big man that played with tenacity, overpowering defenders for dunks. On defense he blocked shots and seemed to rebound every miss. Now, the 6-foot-11, 258 pounder still does those things but he has improved his footwork. He moves quickly from block to block to get into position and call for the basketball. He can also run the floor often sprinting down court to post up near the rim or to beat his man down court and look for a pass to score in transition.

The Nigerian native talked about the improvements in his game.

"I only played basketball for one year before coming over here," he said. "Actually it wasn't one year, it was eight months I think. "The previous season when I came we had another big and it was difficult for me to fit in. The system was difficult for me to adapt to. But my coach encouraged me to go out and play hard. He trusted me, talked to me about the system and I started understanding the game and my teammates and everything started going smoothly."

Things went smoothly for Azubuike to the tune of 16.5 points (69 percent shooting), 9.2 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. The sophomore, currently ranked No. 15 on the Rivals Top 60 for the class of 2016, was the Potter's House Christian Academy leading scorer and rebounder.

"The season was great," he said. "At first we were trying to learn each other and came together to play as a team. I had a pretty good season; we went to state and came in second, went to nationals and came in second. That's pretty good. The coaching staff and players helped me a lot and contributed to my game."

College coaches aren't allowed to call or text members of the sophomore class

until June 15, but Azubuike is aware of their interest from seeing them at his games, open gyms and practices; and is humbled by it.

"It's just God, I'll just put it that way. It's just God," said Azubuike. It's almost like a dream. I can't believe coming all the way from Africa to here and playing basketball. At first almost nobody really believed in me or thought I could do it and be where I am today. Prayer and hard work plus my family and my close friends have been tremendous support to me."

Has he given much thought to what he'll be looking for in a school?

"I'm going to consider every aspect. It will be a school that uses my style of play, the environment and so forth. There's a lot I'll take into consideration when it comes time to choose."

Family is important to the 15 year old and he stays in contact with them in Nigeria as best as he can.

"I talked to them about two weeks ago," he said. "But I talk to them on Facebook all the time, particularly my brothers and sisters."

Until he played in the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions last spring for the Jacksonville Warriors, Azubuike was mostly known in the state of Florida. Two games of 20-plus points and 20-plus rebounds changed all that.

If a program is looking for a back-to-the-basket center in 2016 with the best combination of size, strength, athleticism and potential, you have to start the conversation with Azubuike.

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