KANSAS CITY, Mo. — He's had two seasons shortened due to injury, but the Big 12 has seen enough.
Today, the conference named Kansas senior center Udoka Azubuike its Big 12 Men's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year.
Azubuike, better known by fans as "Doke," is the ninth Jayhawk to claim the preseason honor.
He played in just nine games as a junior and 11 as a freshman when injuries shortened both seasons. But as a sophomore, Azubuike led the nation in field goal percentage (77%) and was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team.
Azubuike leads a preseason All-Big 12 First Team that also includes KU sophomore point guard Devon Dotson. Baylor's Tristan Clark, Iowa State's Tyrese Haliburton and Texas Christian's Desmond Bane round out the First Team.
Texas Tech's Chris Clarke is the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year, while West Virginia's Oscar Tshiebwe is the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.
K-State's Xavier Sneed was tabbed as a preseason Honorable Mention All-Big 12 pick.
The league's preseason poll will be announced Thursday.
