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PHOTO: Udoka Azubuike’s mom gets first chance to watch son play at Kansas

Kansas v West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, WV - JANUARY 15: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after having a technical foul call on him against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on January 15, 2018 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

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Saturday night is special for Kansas center Udoka Azubuike.

The sophomore is playing in his first Final Four with the Jayhawks. More importantly, Azubuike is playing basketball in front of his mother for the first time in six years following an emotional reunion on Friday night.

Florence Azubuike remained in Nigeria after sending Udoka to the United States when he was in ninth grade so he could pursue basketball. She didn’t see her son until arriving late last night in San Antonio.

Udoka went with a small group from Kansas to greet his mother, as the two had an emotional reunion, according to head coach Bill Self.

“She missed flights. It took her forever (to get to the U.S.) but she landed last night about 11:30 (p.m.),” Self said on the Final Four pregame show. “Doke was at the airport to meet her. He didn’t want anybody to go (to San Antonio International Airport) except just him and our little party that picked him up.

“I got a short video of it, that nobody will probably ever see, of the first embrace.”

Florence has also been embraced by Kansas fans in San Antonio during the game.