Who is Ime Udoka?

Ime Udoka, the coach of Boston Celtics, could be facing disciplinary action for having what is said to be an “improper intimate and consensual relationship” with a female employee within the organization.

According to ESPN, Udoka could face disciplinary action, including a hefty suspension, for an undisclosed violation of organization guidelines.

The final decision is yet to be made in the case, but a possible suspension could keep Udoka out for the entirety of the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN.

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Who is Ime Udoka?

Udoka is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach. He represented the Nigeria national team during his playing career.

The 45-year-old was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 9, 1977. He attended Portland’s Jefferson High School.

Udoka played for Utah State University Eastern and the University of San Francisco. He later transferred to Portland State University where he starred for the Vikings.

His professional basketball career started with playing in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators who drafted him with 39th overall pick in 2002 NBDL Draft.

In 2004, he was called up to play with the Los Angeles Lakers, but was later waived.

He was later drafted 3rd overall by Fort Worth Flyers in 2005 NBDL Draft.

In 2006, Udoka was signed by the New York Knicks. He was waived by the Knicks later that year.

In 2007, Udoka signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. He played in 73 games averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18 minutes.

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Following the 2009 season, Udoka became a free agent, eventually re-signing with the Trail Blazers. He was waived by the Blazers on October 22, 2009, but signed with the Sacramento Kings on November 4, 2009.

On December 15, 2011, Udoka signed with the New Jersey Nets. However, he was waived on December 23, 2011. In January 2012, he signed with UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB.

In August 2012, he joined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach for Gregg Popovich. Udoka was also the key for LaMarcus Aldridge’s decision to join the Spurs in 2015. Both Udoka and Aldridge played together with the Trail Blazers during Aldridge’s rookie season.

In June 2019, Udoka was hired as an assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Brooklyn Nets hired Udoka as an assistant coach in 2020. He became the head coach of Boston Celtics in 2021. 

In 2015, Udoka got engaged to his girlfriend Nia Long with whom he has a child named Kez Sunday Udoka.