Ime Udoka

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Ime Udoka (pronounced EE-may you-DOE-kuh) (born August 9, 1977 in Portland, Oregon), is a American professional basketball player of Nigerian descent.

Udoka, a small forward, attended Portland's Jefferson High School and Portland State University where he starred for the Vikings. He started his professional basketball career by playing in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators. He was called up to play with the Los Angeles Lakers on January 14, 2004, but was later waived and joined another D-League team, the Fort Worth Flyers. On April 6, 2006, Udoka was signed by the New York Knicks. Udoka was waived by the Knicks on September 11, 2006.

Udoka was the last player invited to his hometown Portland Trail Blazers training camp before the 2006-2007 season, getting the invite only after Aaron Miles failed a physical. Despite the death of his father during the preseason, Udoka impressed the coaching staff with his defense and, improbably, made the team.^[1] After having played in only 12 NBA games in his career, as of March 29, 2007 Ime had started in all 71 games played so far in the 2006-07 season. Additionally, he is 3rd on the Blazers in minutes played.

Udoka was a member of the Nigerian basketball squad at the 2006 FIBA World Championships. His older sister Mfon used to play in the WNBA.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• NBA.com playerfile
• NBA stats @ basketballreference.com