The Jazz have picked up their 2022-23 third-year option on Udoka Azubuike, the team announced in a press release.
The Jazz selected Azubuike with the 27th overall pick in the 2020 draft. As a second-year former first-round pick, his salary is fully guaranteed this season. Exercising the team option means his salary for next season will be guaranteed as well. Azuibuike will earn $2,174,880 next season.
Azubuike, a hulking center with a massive 7-foot-7 wingspan, saw action in just 15 games as a rookie last season, averaging 1.1 points and 0.9 rebounds in 3.8 minutes per game.
He most recently saw action during the 2021 Summer League, averaging 13.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game in three games in Salt Lake City, and 13.8 points, 8.8 boards and 2.5 blocks in four contests in Las Vegas.
Azubuike figures to see a lot of time in the G League this season, as the Jazz have three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert at starting center, with Hassan Whiteside as backup.
All decisions on rookie-scale options for 2022-23 are due by Monday, Nov. 1. We’re tracking them right here.
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