Portland, Ore. - Former Portland State basketball star Ime Udoka has signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Udoka was signed by the Lakers on Wednesday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant. He played in Wednesday night's win against Denver, scoring four points and getting two rebounds in six minutes.

Udoka, a former Jefferson High School star as well, was a first team All-Big Sky Conference selection as a senior at PSU in 1999-2000. He was also named the Conference Newcomer of the Year. Udoka averaged 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and had 38 steals. He led the team in scoring and rebounding.

After graduating from Portland State, Udoka earned a tryout with the Portland Trail Blazers but was cut in preseason camp. He has played professionally in the CBA and most recently in the NBDL.

This season, Udoka has been playing for the Charleston Lowgators of the NBDL, ranking among league leaders in points (8th/14.7), rebounds (8th/6.9) and steals (6th/1.50) in 29.2 minutes.

The 6-6, 200-pound Udoka was invited to the Lakers preseason camp this year but was cut just prior to the start of the season. Udoka is the first Portland State basketball player to appear in an NBA regular season game since Freeman Williams last played for the Washington Bullets in 1985-86.

NAME PRONUNCIATION: EE-may you-DOKE-uh