Instant Impact

There’s a reason they call Ekpe Udoh the Nightmare. Baylor’s lively junior forward isn’t just a great defensive player and rebounder; he’s developed into a surprisingly powerful offensive force. He’s helped transform Baylor from a guard-oriented run-and-gun team to one that plays in-your-face defense.

“Ekpe gives us so much leadership, energy, hard work, and effort,” Baylor guard Tweety Carter said. “When you see him play so hard, you have no choice but to try to play the same way.”

The Bears knew they were getting a formidable defensive player and shot-blocking presence when Udoh transferred last season after playing his first two years of college basketball at Michigan.

The six-foot-ten Udoh was named to the Big Ten all-defensive team after setting a school record with ninety-two blocked shots in thirty-two games as a sophomore in 2007-08.

But the Bears didn’t know that he’d develop into such an offensive powerhouse. Through Baylor’s first seven games, Udoh averaged 15.4 points and was shooting 66.2 percent from the field. He even showed some range by nailing three of six treys.

As a sophomore at Michigan, Udoh averaged just six points per game. But during his redshirt season at Baylor, he spent a great deal of time working on his offensive game, and it paid off once he got back on the court.

“I knew they’d want to get the ball to me in the post, and I feel comfortable with that,” Udoh said. “I added some moves that have helped me to score more. But what I really love is playing defense. I like to play a high-energy game and get physical.”

Udoh’s teammates began calling Udoh the Nightmare last season because he’s such an imposing defensive presence. Baylor coach Scott Drew wished Udoh could have played last season, but he had to redshirt under NCAA transfer rules.

“The fact that he made the all-Big Ten defensive team says a lot about the kind of player he is,” Drew said. “But his offense has really improved, and we expect a lot.”

Udoh developed his love for playing defense when he was growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma. On the playgrounds, he always matched up against older, taller guys and learned how to play aggressively.

Once he reached Santa Fe High School in Edmond, he loved how the crowd roared whenever he blocked a shot.

Udoh helped Santa Fe High School win the Oklahoma Class 6A championship as a junior in 2005, followed by a state semifinals appearance in 2006.

Mostly coming off the bench as a freshman at Michigan, Udoh averaged five points, four rebounds, and 1.9 blocked shots as the Wolverines finished 22-13. He moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and averaged six points, five rebounds, and 2.9 blocked shots.

But Udoh wanted to play for a program with a faster offensive style and decided to transfer to Baylor.

“I had watched Baylor, and I knew the kind of system they played,” Udoh said. “I felt I could come in and contribute and also play closer to home.”

Udoh immediately showed his offensive explosiveness for the Bears, hitting the game-winning twenty-foot shot at the buzzer for a 71-69 win over Hartford in the second game of the season.

Though Udoh was born in Oklahoma, he’s of Nigerian descent. His full name is Ekpedeme, which translates into “Lion.”