Ime Udoka: Nigerian American Celtics Coach suspended for having ‘consensual affairs’

The head coach of the Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka has been suspended for the entire NBA season 2022-23 for violations of basketball team policies. He was said to have a consensual affair with a female member affiliated with the staff of Celtics organization. In a statement issued by Celtics team noted that “a decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date.”

Ime Udoka affairs with the female staff became apparent in July this year. “Some members of the Celtics organization first became aware of the relationship in July, sources said. At that time, team leadership was led to believe by both parties that the relationship was consensual. But sources said that the woman recently accused Udoka of making unwanted comments toward her — leading the team to launch a set of internal interviews. The team’s decision and announcement came after a closed-door meeting Thursday that involved team owners and president Brad Stevens and lasted several hours, sources said. Earlier Thursday, Stevens and members of the Celtics front office met with players at the team facility.”

Udoka, 45-year-old who led his team to NBA finals last year issued a statement and said “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said in a statement Thursday night. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.” Udoka has been in a relationship with actress Nia Long since 2010 and they have ten years old son together.

The suspended “Udoka became a first-time head coach last year when the Celtics hired him to replace Brad Stevens, who took over as the C’s president of basketball operations. Udoka, who played seven seasons in the NBA, was a longtime assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich and had two more assistant jobs before joining the C’s. After a rough start to his first season, the Celtics bought into Udoka as they transformed into the best defense in the NBA, and the players had glowing praise of him.”