FSU hoops target Udoka Azubuike shines in front of Hamilton, Seminoles players
He’s getting “very close” to a decision.
Five-star basketball recruit Udoka Azubuike was in Tallahassee Saturday evening as The Potter’s House Christian Academy defeated Godby 62-42 in the Source Hoops Classic.
Azubuike finished the evening with 13 points, four rebounds and two blocks flashing great physical strength throughout the contest. The 6-11, 270-pound center in the Class of 2016 often looked to dunk the ball every time he possessed it, overwhelming a talented Godby roster.
“People like to compare me to Shaq all the time, so I like to say I’m like him,” Azubuike said when asked who he models his game after.
The big man said he was down to Florida State, North Carolina, and Kansas as his top three (not in any order), with North Carolina State as a fourth to keep an eye on.
Seminoles’ Head Coach Leonard Hamilton, assistant coaches Stan Jones and CY Young along with numerous current players were in attendance to take in the game. Azubuike noticed the attention from the beginning.
“I’ve been talking to them since I was in ninth grade, we have a close relationship,” Azubuike said of FSU. “It shows how much they want me.”
Azubuike commented on what stood out for him about FSU, a school that was one of the first to build a relationship with him.
“Their close by, and I’ve been close to Coach Ham for a long time,” Azubuike noted. “I talk to him probably once a month on the phone.”
A year after finishing with the No. 9 ranked recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com, the Seminoles are in prime position for a second-straight Top 10 class. Currently sitting at No. 9 in the rankings, FSU could get a major boost with the addition of Azubuike to the class.
“They’ve been telling me I’m the guy they are looking for, I can come in and dominate right away,” Azubuike said of what FSU is pitching to him. “They said I could be the most dominant big man ever (at the school).”
Azubuike also said that he is close friends with current Seminole commitment Trent Forrest noting the two communicate frequently. The big man further mentioned his values when looking to make his final decision.
“I want to go to a school I can dominate at, and I want to be the guy in paint for that school,” Azubuike said. “Relationships matter too, once I go to the league (NBA) or graduate I want still have that bond.”
Florida State is currently 5-2 in 2015, with two freshmen in Dwayne Bacon and Malik Beasley leading the team in scoring.
“I’ve been watching a majority of their games, Azubuike said with a smile. “Dwayne Bacon and Malik Beasley have been doing a great job for them this year, it’s been fun to watch.”