Jazz Rookie Udoka Azubuike Gets COVID-19 Vaccine
Apr 22, 2021, 5:46 PM | Updated: 5:48 pm
Udoka Azubuike #20 of the Utah Jazz dribbles against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the game at Moda Center on December 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz center Udoka Azubuike has gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. The rookie posted a photo of himself getting the vaccine on his Instagram page.
The Jazz drafted Azubuike with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft but the Kansas product has been seen sparingly.
Azubuike played 12 games for the Jazz before joining the Salt Lake City Stars during the G League season in Orlando. However, the rookie suffered a serious ankle injury in his Stars debut and has yet to return to game action.
Haven’t seen much from Udoka Azubuike since the injury but he posted a photo of himself getting the COVID-19 vaccine today.
Would make sense for Jazz players who have two days off for the last time before the end of the regular season. pic.twitter.com/6Ywn5x1aYL
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 22, 2021
In the photo, Azubuike is seen getting the vaccine with the caption “Fully Vaccinated” posted below his image.
Several NBA teams have posted photos of their players getting vaccines, though the Jazz have yet to reveal any group vaccination effort. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Atlanta Hawks have all tweeted images of their players getting the vaccine.
The NBA has encouraged its players to get vaccines, even offering less prohibitive COVID-19 protocols for players who have received the vaccine and for teams where at least 85 percent of players and staff have been vaccinated.
“Fully vaccinated individuals will no longer have to quarantine following exposure to COVID-19; can have friends, family and others visit at home and on the road without having them test or register with the team; and can dine outdoors at restaurants, among other eased restrictions,” according to ESPN.
Today, players and staff received their COVID-19 vaccines, distributed by @HyVee 👏 pic.twitter.com/5ci2PnCIZi
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 6, 2021
“Fully vaccinated teams will no longer have to wear masks at the practice facility; have more flexibility to leave the team hotel on the road; and can dine indoors or outdoors at restaurants, among other eased restrictions.”
While the Jazz haven’t revealed who of their players has gotten the vaccine, coach Quin Snyder implied at least some members of the team were able to enjoy looser protocols.
“As we move forward I think there’s an anticipation that some of the protocols will continue to be adjusted based on vaccination,” Snyder said.
As of mid-April, all Americans 16 and over are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
