Former NBA player surprises campers during Golden State Basketball Academy

Kelenna Azubuike, former Warriors player and current analyst, took photos and signed autographs for campers

Eddie Monares, Managing Editor • Jul 17, 2025

Kelenna Azubuike signs photos in the Main Gym on Thursday, July 17, 2025. (Neal Wong / Golden Gate Xpress)

Over 100 children, aged 7 to 15, filled the Main Gym at San Francisco State University for the Golden State Sports Academy basketball camp today. The sounds of basketballs hammering the waxed hardwood floors stopped as special guest Kelenna Azubuike appeared.

Azubuike, a former undrafted shooting guard from the University of Kentucky, spent four seasons with the Warriors before transitioning into a broadcasting career. In 2019, he became an analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, working alongside play-by-play announcer Bob Fitzgerald.

The hour-long surprise for the children consisted of Azubuike talking about his own basketball journey, answering questions from campers, taking photographs with them and signing autographs.

“I always love coming to the Golden State Warriors camp,” Azubuike said. “I feel like the kids were really engaged and enthusiastic, asked really good questions, and I always love coming just to kick knowledge, give them a little encouragement because I remember being in their shoes and coming to camps like this and looking for that encouragement.”

Kelenna Azubuike (center, back row) stands for a photo with Golden State Sports Academy campers and coaches in the Main Gym on Thursday, July 17, 2025. (Eddie Monares / Golden Gate Xpress)

Now in its 26th year, the Golden State Sports Academy has grown to be the largest basketball camp program in the NBA and the WNBA. It has welcomed over 80,000 youth from six continents, according to Eva Salazar, Golden State corporate communications coordinator.

The academy, which was formerly named the Warriors Basketball Academy, was recently rebranded to the “Golden State Sports Academy” to encompass not only the Warriors but the Valkyries as well. Campers were previously given just Warriors jerseys, but they now receive reversible jerseys with the Warriors on one side and the Valkyries on the other.

The camp takes place year-round in the Bay Area, rotating locations. This week, they were at SFSU.

Taylor Gardner, a 13-year-old camper, said he learned a lot of things this week during camp and enjoyed the experience.

“I’ve learned some key skills like handling the ball better, shooting better and I’ve just learned a lot of great things from all these coaches,” Gardner said.

Gardner was surprised and excited when Azubuike was introduced as the special guest at today’s camp.

“I watch all the Warriors games, and I always love it when Bob Fitzgerald says a call. I always love his after commentary and the stuff he says,” Gardner said.

The camp allows children to learn the fundamentals of the game, work on individual drill work and compete in small competitions such as three-on-three or five-on-five games.

Ten year old Addison Zamora, from San Francisco, particularly enjoyed a game called 2ball, a game where a team of two try to get as many points as you can in a minute shooting at different spots on the floor worth varying numbers of points.

Like Gardner, she was excited to get a picture and autograph from Azubuike.

“It was cool because I’ve seen him a lot when we’re watching the Warriors games and he’s doing the reporting on NBC,” Zamora said.

About the Contributors

Eddie Monares, Managing Editor

Eddie Monares (he/him) is the managing editor for Golden Gate Xpress. He is a fourth-year student majoring in journalism with a minor in education. He was born and raised in San Francisco, California, and currently works part-time. Before attending San Francisco State University, he was a reporter and editor for the award-winning student publication at Archbishop Riordan High School, The Crusader. During his free time, Eddie enjoys listening to music, spending time with his friends and family and watching sports. Eddie Monares (el, de él) es el editor general para el Golden Gate Xpress. Está en su cuarto año estudiando periodismo con una especialización en educación. Nació y se crió en San Francisco, California, y trabaja a tiempo parcial. Antes de llegar a SFSU fue reportero y editor para la premiada publicación de la secundaria Archbishop Riordan, The Crusader. En su tiempo libre, a Eddie le gusta escuchar música, pasar tiempo con su familia y amigos, y ver deportes.

Neal Wong, Editor-at-Large

Neal Wong (he/him) is the editor-at-large for Golden Gate Xpress. Having recently graduated in the spring with a degree in journalism and a minor in education, he is staying to support the transition into the fall semester. He is also a proud San Franciscan who was born and raised in the city and attended George Washington High School. He joined the staff in 2023 and has since held key roles including managing editor and online editor. His work has also been published in outlets such as Richmondside, the San Francisco Public Press and Mission Local. Neal has also created and taught courses in SFSU’s Experimental College. His hobbies include traveling, cooking and reading the news. Neal Wong (él) es el editor itinerante de Golden Gate Xpress. Tras haberse graduado recientemente en primavera con una licenciatura en periodismo y una especialización en educación, se queda para apoyar la transición al semestre de otoño. También es un orgulloso sanfrancisqueño, nacido y criado en la ciudad, y asistió a George Washington High School. Se unió al equipo en 2023 y desde entonces ha ocupado cargos clave, incluyendo editor general y editor digital. Su trabajo también ha sido publicado en medios como Richmondside, San Francisco Public Press y Mission Local. Neal también ha creado y enseñado cursos en el Experimental College de SFSU. Sus pasatiempos incluyen viajar, cocinar y leer las noticias.