Utah Jazz center Udoka Azubuike undergoes season-ending surgery

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CHARLOTTE — Utah Jazz second-year center Udoka Azubuike underwent season-ending surgery on Friday.

The surgery repaired multiple ankle and foot ligaments in his right foot to stabilize the Subtalar joint. Azubuike has been out since sustaining the ankle injury on March 10 while playing with the Salt Lake City Stars.

The surgery was performed in Indianapolis by foot and ankle specialist Dr. David Porter in consultation with Jazz team physician Dr. Travis Maak. Azubuike will be out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, including the playoffs.

The hope is that the surgery will alleviate a growing problem for the former Kansas prospect. Azubuike has had three different ankle injuries in the last 13 months.

In February 2021, while playing for the Stars in their season opener in the G League bubble in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Azubuike landed on a player's foot, causing his right ankle to roll and his lower leg to bend violently. The injury initially appeared to be gruesome and he had to be carted off the court. Later, it was ruled as a severe sprain, and Azubuike missed an extended period of time.

On Nov. 26, 2021, he was once against injured while playing with the Stars. He went up to challenge a shot and when he landed his right leg buckled. He was diagnosed with a subluxation of the right ankle and was held out until Jan. 5, where he started against the Denver Nuggets in a Jazz win.

That was the beginning of the signs of improvement from the young center.

From Feb. 2-14, Azubuike started five games in place of an injured Rudy Gobert, and averaged 9.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. The Jazz went 5-0 in that stretch.