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Ime Udoka

F

forestgreen

Moderator
Staff member
Hard work gives him that edge
Spurs forward and former Portland State star Ime Udoka wants to expand his game and "stay sharp"

http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1218252313175350.xml&coll=7
 
Vikings’ Bone has a big fan in Texas

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=123137037752895800

It played under the radar a little, but Portland State’s upset of then-No. 7 Gonzaga on Dec. 23 was the biggest in the school’s long athletic history – in any sport.

It’s a testament to the job coach Ken Bone has done with the program, and also to the leadership of Jeremiah Dominguez, the diminutive point guard who looms large with his presence and clutch play.

The Vikings’ most prominent recent basketball alum, Ime Udoka, tried to watch the Gonzaga game in San Antonio. “But it wasn’t on (TV) here,” says the Spurs’ veteran swing man. “But I heard all about it.

“Our strength coach came and told me after our game that (the Vikings) had upset somebody. I knew they were playing Gonzaga, so I was kind of shocked. I mean, (the Bulldogs) had a 55-2 record up there in the Kennel.”

Udoka runs his summer camp at PSU, trains there in the offseason and maintains a close relationship with Bone and some of the players, including Dominic Waters – “we talk every week,” Udoka says. Udoka was in the stands at Baylor when the Vikings lost to the 19th-ranked Bears 79-66 on Dec. 29.

The Vikings “didn’t play their best game at all, or the game would have been a lot closer,” Udoka says. “But it’s fun to see what Coach Bone has done with that program. He’s turned it around.”

nUdoka is playing only garbage minutes for the Spurs after starting several early-season games. Last season, he played little early before becoming a fortress off the bench late in the regular season and the playoffs.

“I knew the minutes would change when Manu (Ginobili) came back (from injury), but a drop-off like this has been disappointing,” Udoka says. “The worst seat in the arena is on the bench, watching the game.

“I have to be patient, keep the right frame of mind and work hard. It’s going to turn eventually, like it did last year. I have to be ready for the opportunity.”
 
Ime Udoka looking for the magic again

http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2009/03/nba_notebook_ime_udoka_looking.html

Ime Udoka is hoping he can rekindle the late-season and playoff magic that helped push his name into prominence last season.

The former Portland State star and Blazer has played sparingly the regular season. Udoka is averaging 3.7points and 12.6minutes a game this season, compared to 5.8points and 18minutes a game last season.

"It definitely hasn't gone the way I hoped it would," Udoka said. "It's been up and down. I have played inconsistent. But I'm trying to finish off (the season) strong."

Udoka finally came through with a big contribution when he scored 11points on four of eight shooting in 24minutes in the Spurs' 103-98 win against Phoenix on Sunday. It was his first double-digit scoring since Nov. 21.

Udoka came into the season on the heels of a strong playoff performance and rigorous off-season training program. Udoka was thinking he would start the season in San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich's regular rotation.

"You work hard all summer and you want to build off last year. To come in and not do as well, it kind of goes against what I expected," Udoka said.

He played consistently during November, when Manu Giniboli was sidelined recovering from off-season ankle surgery.

But the emergence of Roger Mason and rookie George Hill, along with the return of Ginobili, has cut heavily into Udoka's minutes. He has logged more minutes lately -- double-digit minutes in five of the Spurs' last six games -- giving him hope that his time shall come.

"When the opportunity comes, I have to take advantage of it and do what I did last year," Udoka said. "With 'Pop' (Popovich), it only takes one game to play well and do some things."

Udoka, in the final year of his two-year deal with the Spurs, needs a strong finish to generate interest from the Spurs and other teams going into the off-season.

"There's 20-plus (regular-season) games left and the playoffs, so there's always a chance to make an impression and do some things to get back on the court," Udoka said. "That's the way I got going last year and I plan on doing it again in the playoffs, making an impact."
 
Udoka Helping Local Students Reach College Level

Former Blazer and current free agent Ime Udoka is making a difference in the lives of local high school basketball players.

http://www.kptv.com/video/20038533/index.html
 
Ime Udoka looks for the right fit after contract with Spurs expires

http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2009/07/ime_udoka_looks_for_the_right.html
 
Trail Blazers finalize training camp roster, sign Ime Udoka

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/09/trail_blazers_finalize_trainin.html
 
forestgreen said:
Trail Blazers finalize training camp roster, sign Ime Udoka

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/09/trail_blazers_finalize_trainin.html
Click to expand...

I sure hope he makes the team. Great guy.
 
Ime Udoka: 'I thought these times were behind me ...'

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/ime_udoka_i_thought_these_time.html
 
forestgreen said:
Ime Udoka: 'I thought these times were behind me ...'

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/ime_udoka_i_thought_these_time.html
Click to expand...

Dang! The writing was on the wall when they signed Mills.

I hope he lands another spot in the NBA where he can finish out his career. Then turns to coaching....
 
d015.gif
May fire ants crawl up Paul Allen's pants while he is asleep!
 
Glad someone picked Ime up:

KINGS SIGN IME UDOKA TO A CONTRACT

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/press_release_2009_11_04.html

The Sacramento Kings today signed guard-forward Ime Udoka to a contract, it was announced by Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re excited about the addition of Ime to the Kings,” Petrie said. “He is experienced, a tough defender and has the ability to help space the floor at the offensive end.”

The 6-5, 220-pound guard-forward amassed career averages of 6.0 points (42.8 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 70.4 FT%), 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game through 227 games in five seasons with the Lakers (2003-04), New York (2005-06), Portland (2006-07), and San Antonio (2007-08 – 2008-09). Undrafted after finishing his college career at Portland State, Udoka was signed as a free agent by the Lakers (8/13/03). Before joining the Kings, Udoka was with Portland during the 2009 preseason. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 8.4 points (46.1 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 74.2 FT%), 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game starting all 75 contests he played in with the Trail Blazers.
 
Deadline passes; Udoka sticks

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/2443891.html

Ime Udoka has built quite the diversified résumé in his career as a basketball journeyman.

The 32-year-old out of Portland State has had NBA Development League stops in Charleston S.C., and Fort Worth, Texas. He had NBA jobs with the Lakers, New York, Portland and San Antonio before joining the Kings in early November.

But after Wednesday came and went with no word that Udoka had been cut by the Kings, he was glad to know he won't be on the move again.

Udoka was the only player in danger because of his non-guaranteed contract. The Kings could have saved the remainder of his one-year, $1.03 million contract by waiving him.

Udoka has had bright moments and been useful as a solid defender and occasional scorer in his reserve role with Sacramento. It could be argued that his performance in the Kings' 35-point comeback in Chicago on Dec. 21 earned him job security.

In a fourth-quarter span of one minute, 33 seconds, he hit two three-pointers and a layup that cut the Bulls' lead from 12 points to four. Yet that's not his strongest memory. He continues to lament two free throws he missed on New Year's Day in Los Angeles.

With the Kings up by two points against the Lakers and Udoka on the line with 4.8 seconds left, he missed two shots. It was a bad finish to a good game for Udoka, who hit 5 of 7 shots for 13 points and had five rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes. Kobe Bryant took advantage of the misses, burying a three-pointer from the left wing at the buzzer for the win.

"I gave Kobe an opportunity to add to his highlight reel," said Udoka, who unexpectedly was cut by Portland in the exhibition season. "All it is is free throws. You're trying to start the new year off right (as a team) and curb this little slide we're having.

"When I do well, it's expected, but I beat myself up more when I don't. I was (ticked) about it. Coach (Paul Westphal) said on the plane, 'There's nothing I can really say to you.' But with me being with this young team, I feel like that's my role is to help close out games like that."

Specifically, Udoka wants to help the Kings' cause with improved three-point shooting. Since hitting 3 of 5 three-point attempts against the Bulls, he has made 2 of 12 in seven games.

"I've played OK as of late, but I haven't played as well as I could have," Udoka said.

Walking wounded – Kings fifth-year swingman Francisco García saw limited action in his second practice since breaking his right wrist but is at least two weeks from returning to game action.

Small forward Donté Greene sat out practice after twisting his left ankle against Phoenix on Tuesday. He had an X-ray Tuesday night that was negative.

Rookie guard Tyreke Evans practiced after reaggravating his right ankle injury against the Suns.
 
Ime Udoka is on the Celts radar

http://www.necn.com/07/20/10/Ime-Udoka-is-on-the-Celts-radar/v1_landing_celtics.html?blockID=274590&feedID=3352
 
Spurs Sign Ime Udoka

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs_sign_ime_udoka_101124.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

SAN ANTONIO, TX (Nov. 24, 2010) - The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Ime Udoka. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Udoka (#5, 6’5”, 220, 8/9/77) returns to San Antonio after spending the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons with the Silver and Black. In his two seasons with the Spurs, he appeared in 140 games, averaging 5.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 16.8 minutes. In 21 career playoff games, all with the Spurs, Udoka averaged 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds.

In his six-year NBA career, Udoka has averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 296 games. He spent last season with the Sacramento Kings, where he played in 69 games and averaged 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game.

He enjoyed his best campaign during the 2006-07 season when he started 75 games for Portland, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28.6 minutes per game. He shot a career-best .461 (237-for-514) from the field and .406 (89-for-219) from three-point territory. Udoka has also played for the L.A. Lakers, in 2003-04, and the New York Knicks in 2005-06.

Undrafted out of college, Udoka has spent time in NBA Development League, USBL, IBA and internationally in Spain and France. In 2005-06 he was named to the All-NBA D-League First Team and was also the recipient of Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award after averaging 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 45 games for the Fort Worth Flyers. Udoka began his D-League career in 2002-03 with the Charleston Lowgators. He also represented Nigeria at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, where he averaged 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Udoka closed out his college career at Portland State where he led the Vikings in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots during the 1999-2000 season. He was also named First Team All-Big Sky Conference and selected as the league’s Newcomer of the Year. Udoka began his college career at Eastern Utah and spent a year at University of San Francisco before arriving at Portland State.
 
Udoka still looking for sweet spot

A stint in Spain, fatherhood help Portlander stay grounded

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=133418095994232600" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Ime Udoka still a pro -- in new role as Spurs assistant coach

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/153919-ime-udoka-still-a-pro-in-new-role-as-spurs-assistant-coach" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Udoka seems to be an important piece that got LaMarcus Aldridge to the Spurs. The final push was with Udoka and Popovich having a sit-down lunch with Aldridge.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/07/lamarcus_aldridge_free_agency_san_antonio_spurs_ph.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Something overlooked in all this Aldridge stuff, by including Udoka in the Aldridge proceedings and the idea that Popovich may retire when Duncan and Ginobil leave, did the Spurs tip their hand that Udoka will take over the head coaching duties after Popovich steps down?

May be big shoes to fill for one PSU alum.
 
Udoka interviewing for Pistons head coaching job.

http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2018/06/ex-portland_state_star_ime_udo.html#incart_river_index
 
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