The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Ekpe’s Book Club, the J-Notes edition

By Josh Padmore

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz attempts a free throw in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 23: Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz attempts a free throw in the second half of the 103-89 win by the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 30: Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz runs up court during a game against the Golden State Warriors at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 30, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 30: Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz runs up court during a game against the Golden State Warriors at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 30, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

As many Utah Jazz fans know, center Ekpe Udoh is an avid reader. He even has his own book club, known as Ekpe’s Book Club.

Rather than having Ekpe Udoh take charge of this particular ‘Book Club’, I’m going to take the reigns this time and suggest the second-year Jazzman reads this article about his NBA journey. It may not be a book, but it will get the job done. Sit back, relax and let’s get into the J-Notes edition of Ekpe’s Book Club.

Prologue

On May 20th, 1987, Alice and Sam Udoh welcomed the newest member of their family to the world. Ekpe Udoh saw life for the very first time in Edmond, Oklahoma. Little did Sam and Alice know, their son would develop into an NBA player and one of the best shot-blockers in the world. In fact, doctors told Ekpe’s parents that he would NOT grow to be tall. Sam and Alice are of average height. Luckily for Ekpe, his grandfather on his father’s side was seven-feet tall.

Ekpe attended Sante Fe High School, which is located in Oklahoma. It’s also the same school that Reggie Smith, a former NFL player, attended. Ekpe then played college basketball at the University of Michigan for a few years, before transferring to Baylor for his Junior season. Even though he only played one year at Baylor, he cemented himself as one of the best players in program history. Back in 2010, Udoh helped the Bears win their first NCAA Tournament game since 1950. That was a six-decade drought.

HOUSTON – MARCH 28: Ekpe Udoh #13 of the Baylor Bears relaxes in player warm-ups before Baylor takes on the Duke Blue Devils during the south regional final of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Reliant Stadium on March 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
HOUSTON – MARCH 28: Ekpe Udoh #13 of the Baylor Bears relaxes in player warm-ups before Baylor takes on the Duke Blue Devils during the south regional final of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Reliant Stadium on March 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

That phenomenal year at Baylor resulted in Udoh being drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 6th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. The great NBADraft.net compared Udoh to Chris Gatling, who ironically spent most of his career with the Warriors. Gatling spent 11 productive years in the NBA, and was even an All-Star in 1997.

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