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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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 25: Golden State Warriors first round draft pick Ekpe Udoh speaks at his introductory press conference on June 25, 2010 in Oakland, California. 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. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2010 (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 25: Golden State Warriors first round draft pick Ekpe Udoh speaks at his introductory press conference on June 25, 2010 in Oakland, California. 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. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2010 (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Chapter One

Being the 6th overall pick obviously comes with lofty expectations. Udoh didn’t live up those expectations, but to be fair, he was never known to be an offensive player. During his rookie season, Udoh averaged 4.1 points per game on 43.7 percent shooting from the field. However, he did average 1.5 blocks per game despite limited playing time. He averaged 3 blocks per-36 minutes. That has always been Udoh’s niche — blocking shots.

During the 2011-2012 season, Udoh’s second year, he found himself on the move as part of a big trade that landed Golden State Andrew Bogut. Meanwhile, Udoh became a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Through his first 23 games with the Bucks, Udoh averaged about six points, five rebounds and two blocks per game. Not bad, considering he averaged barely over 20 minutes per game. Udoh spent two more years in Milwaukee, averaging 3.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game from 2012-2014.

Ekpe became a free agent for the first time in his career in 2014. He was considering offers from contending teams, and ultimately chose to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best fit. Udoh averaged just 3.9 minutes per game through 33 games. His contract was only for one year, so that less than stellar opportunity-wise season with the Clippers forced Ekpe to continue his professional basketball career in a different country: Turkey.

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