Kansas junior center Udoka Azubuike placed a pair of brown boots and jeans in a Walmart cart at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday, Jayhawks coach Bill Self nodding his approval in the distance.
“I see Doke there. It looks like he’s walking without a limp, so that’s a good start to shopping for us tonight,” Self, KU’s 16th-year coach, said shortly after the start of the program’s 22nd annual holiday shopping excursion for Lawrence-area families.
Seven-footer Azubuike — he has been hobbled by a sprained ankle that has forced him to miss the last three games — actually was one of the first Jayhawks to finish shopping at the Santa’s Helpers event, made possible by fans donations at KU Roundball Club events.