Ernest Udeh Jr.

Ernest Udeh Jr.
Udeh in 2022
No. 39 – Cleveland Cavaliers
PositionCenter
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2004-01-08) January 8, 2004
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight266 lb (121 kg)
Career information
High schoolDr. Phillips
(Orlando, Florida)
College
NBA draft2026: undrafted
Playing career2026–present
Career history
2026–presentCleveland Cavaliers
2026–present→Cleveland Charge
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 

Ernest Maduabuchi Udeh Jr. (born January 8, 2004) is an American basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks, TCU Horned Frogs and Miami Hurricanes.

Early life and high school career

Udeh grew up in Orlando, Florida and attended Dr. Phillips High School.[1] He averaged 10.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game as a junior as Dr. Phillips won the Class 7A state championship.[2] Udeh averaged 13.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game during his senior season.[3] He played in the 2022 McDonald's All-American Boys Game.[4]

Recruiting

Udeh was considered a five-star recruit by ESPN and a four-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals. On October 20, 2021, he committed to playing college basketball for Kansas over offers from UCLA, Alabama, Arkansas, and Baylor.[5][6]

College recruiting
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Ernest Udeh Jr.
C		 Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips (FL) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Oct 20, 2021 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (90)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 35    247Sports: 32    ESPN: 24
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Kansas 2022 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  • "2022 Kansas Jayhawks Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  • "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved December 11, 2023.

College career

Udeh enrolled at Kansas shortly after graduating high school and took part in the Jayhawks' summer practices.[7] He made his college debut in Kansas's season opener against Omaha and scored five points with five rebounds and one block in over 14 minutes.[8]

On May 31, 2023, Udeh committed to TCU.[9] As a junior, he averaged 6.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Following the season he transferred to Miami.[10] Udeh averaged 6.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks per game and was named to the All-ACC Defensive Team.[11]

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA draft, Udeh signed a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 1, 2026.[11]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022–23 Kansas 3008.3.756–.4091.80.30.70.62.6
2023–24 TCU 292917.2.609–.5605.30.31.00.84.3
2024–25 TCU 303026.6.634–.5987.51.21.41.36.6
2025–26 Miami 333328.2.727–.5129.20.51.01.46.7
Career 1229220.3.678–.5466.00.61.01.05.1

References

  1. ↑ "DP gets boost from Ernest Udeh to defeat host Apopka in Metro West tourney semifinals". Orlando Sentinel. January 15, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  2. ↑ Connon, Sam (October 20, 2021). "2022 C Ernest Udeh Jr. Picks Kansas, Spurns UCLA Men's Basketball". SI.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  3. ↑ Wildeboor, Shay (June 4, 2022). "Ernest Udeh, Jr". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  4. ↑ "KU's Ernest Udeh plays for winning McDonald's team". The Kansas City Star. March 30, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Basketball recruiting: Ernest Udeh Jr. picks Kansas over UCLA". The Kansas City Star. October 21, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Four-star center Ernest Udeh Jr. commits to Kansas over UCLA, Alabama, Baylor". The Athletic. October 20, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self likes what he's seen from his freshman class so far". The Kansas City Star. June 13, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  8. ↑ Moore, CJ (November 8, 2022). "Moore: Ernest Udeh Jr. might be Jayhawks' big answer". The Athletic. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  9. ↑ Salerno, Cameron (May 31, 2023). "Ernest Udeh transfers to TCU: Former Kansas big, McDonald's All-American to remain in Big 12 next season". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  10. ↑ Kosko, Nick. "Former TCU center Ernest Udeh Jr. commits to Miami". On3.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Cavaliers Sign Ernest Udeh Jr. to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. Cleveland Cavaliers. July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
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