Baylor Adds Michigan Transfer Ekpe Udoh

WACO, Texas — Baylor head men’s basketball coach Scott Drew announced Thursday the addition of former University of Michigan forward Ekpe Udoh to the Bears program.

The 6-10 forward will sit out the 2008-09 to satisfy the NCAA’s transfer policy and will retain two seasons of eligibility.

A native of Edmond, Okla., Udoh played two seasons for the Wolverines and averaged 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 67 career games (31 starts). He led the Big Ten with 92 blocks as a sophomore in 2007-08 and was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team.

“Ekpe has a personality that makes him a perfect fit for Baylor basketball,” Drew said. “He’ll be a great representative of our program. His accolades speak for themselves; he led the Big Ten in blocks and was on the league’s all-defensive team. Baylor fans will enjoy watching him play.”

Udoh’s 92 blocks set a new Michigan sophomore blocks record (second-highest total in school history), surpassing the previous record of 91 set by Chris Webber in 1992-93. Udoh’s 159 career blocks rank fifth all-time on U-M’s all-time blocks list.

The Wolverine’s “sixth-man” as a freshman in 2006-07 before entering the starting lineup nine games into his sophomore season, Udoh played in all 67 games during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

Udoh, who prepped at Santa Fe High School in Edmond, was born in Oklahoma but is of Nigerian descent. His full given name is Ekpedeme, which translates to “Lion.”

Baylor is coming off its most successful season in decades and will suit up an experienced squad in 2008-09. The Bears, who finished fourth in the Big 12 Conference and played in their first NCAA Tournament in 20 years last season, return eight of their top nine players and their top five scorers.