Five-star basketball recruit Udoka Azubuike picks Kansas

Udoka Azubuike, a 6-foot-11 center from Potter’s House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., announced Thursday that he’ll attend Kansas.

Azubuike is a five-star prospect and rated No. 27 nationally by Rivals.com. North Carolina and Florida State were finalists.

“I spoke to Bill Self several times, I looked at the programs, I looked at everything,” Azubuike said. “I did my background check on Kansas. I just have that good feeling that I’m going to be productive at Kansas.”

Azubuike is originally from Nigeria. He’s been in the United States for three years and is averaging 16.9 points and 9.7 rebounds this season with a game built on strength, power and coordination.

The Jayhawks have added a big body — he’s 275 pounds — to next season’s roster. If Azubuike were on the team this year, he’d be listed as Kansas’ biggest player.

Kansas uses a six-player frontcourt rotation this season, and three are seniors — Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor and Hunter Mickelson. The others are junior Landen Lucas and freshmen Cheick Diallo and Carlton Bragg Jr.

Azubuike is the second Kansas commitment for next season. Mitch Lightfoot, a 6-8, 210-pound forward from Gilbert, Ariz., committed in October.

The Jayhawks remain in the hunt for Josh Jackson, a 6-7 shooting guard from Detroit who is rated as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit. He took an official visit to Kansas last weekend.

Jackson plays at Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif. Jackson is considering a list of schools that includes Arizona and Michigan State.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Five-star basketball recruit Udoka Azubuike picks Kansas."