Spurs Brazil
10-16-2007, 01:40 PM
http://www.nba.com/spurs/timeout/20secondto.html
Udoka Feels The Fit
by Bill Schoening | October 16, 2007
Spurs forward Ime Udoka admits that his route to the NBA has been less than conventional. "It's been a long journey, but I feel like I've been rewarded by coming to a team like the Spurs", said Udoka, who spent last season with his hometown Portland Trail Blazers.
For Udoka, there have been many roads, complete with exits and detours. He played two seasons of junior college ball at Eastern Utah, one season at the University of San Francisco and finished his college career at Portland State. Then the real excursion began, first with Charleston of the NBA Development League and a training camp cameo appearance with the Lakers before heading back to Charleston. Then it was off to Europe for the '04-05 season, where he split time between Spain and France.
He came back to the states for the 05-06 season, getting cut by the 76ers before enjoying a breakout season with the Fort Worth Flyers of the "D" League. By averaging 17 points and playing aggressive defense, Udoka earned a shot with the Blazers and started 75 games last season, averaging 8.5 points per game and hitting 40% from three point range.
He is excited to be in San Antonio, and has drawn praise from the coaching staff. Assistant coach Mike Budenholzer says the fact that Udoka has played in so many different enviroments and programs has helped him adapt quickly to the Spurs system. Udoka says he takes pride in his defensive abilities, which should benefit him greatly in his new surroundings and is one of the main reasons the Spurs signed him over the summer.
Udoka Feels The Fit
by Bill Schoening | October 16, 2007
Spurs forward Ime Udoka admits that his route to the NBA has been less than conventional. "It's been a long journey, but I feel like I've been rewarded by coming to a team like the Spurs", said Udoka, who spent last season with his hometown Portland Trail Blazers.
For Udoka, there have been many roads, complete with exits and detours. He played two seasons of junior college ball at Eastern Utah, one season at the University of San Francisco and finished his college career at Portland State. Then the real excursion began, first with Charleston of the NBA Development League and a training camp cameo appearance with the Lakers before heading back to Charleston. Then it was off to Europe for the '04-05 season, where he split time between Spain and France.
He came back to the states for the 05-06 season, getting cut by the 76ers before enjoying a breakout season with the Fort Worth Flyers of the "D" League. By averaging 17 points and playing aggressive defense, Udoka earned a shot with the Blazers and started 75 games last season, averaging 8.5 points per game and hitting 40% from three point range.
He is excited to be in San Antonio, and has drawn praise from the coaching staff. Assistant coach Mike Budenholzer says the fact that Udoka has played in so many different enviroments and programs has helped him adapt quickly to the Spurs system. Udoka says he takes pride in his defensive abilities, which should benefit him greatly in his new surroundings and is one of the main reasons the Spurs signed him over the summer.