Ime Udoka.Photo: Maddie Malhotra/GettyThe Houston Rockets will hireIme Udokaas their next head coach, according to atweetfrom ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.Udoka, 45, will replace Stephen Silas in Houston. Silas' overall record as the Rockets' head coach was 59-177 over the last three seasons, according to apress releasefrom the NBA.Udoka’s new position marks his return to the NBA after a year-long suspension and separation from the Boston Celtics after his first season as head coach.Udoka was ultimately suspended as Boston’s head coach due to"violations of team policy"for the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season in a scandal that rocked the NBA and the Celtics basketball organization. Udoka reportedly participated in an alleged inappropriate, consensual relationship with a female colleague, according toCBS.Ime Udoka.Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/GettyHis multiple violations involved one woman, a Celtics spokesman told theAssociated Press. No one else in the organization faced discipline, Celtics majority ownerWyc Grousbeck said, adding how the team will be vigilant to ensure that Udoka’s actions aren’t a preview of a larger problem.Udoka gave astatementto ESPN’s Malika Andrews on the alleged relationship, revealing how he accepts “the team’s decision.““I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” the Portland nativesaid. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.“Ime Udoka.Ezra Shaw/GettySubsequently, the Celtics promoted Joe Mazzulla as its interim head coach, but removed the interim tag during the season, making Mazzulla, 34, their permanent coach.Udoka was in a relationship with actressNia Longfor over one decade. A rep for Long, 52, confirmed to PEOPLE that the engaged couple is “no longer togetherbut remain fully committed to co-parenting their son [Kez].“Kez, Nia Long, Ime Udoka.Robin L Marshall/Getty; Maddie Meyer/Getty"I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public,” Long toldThe Hollywood Reporterlast December.The pair had been engaged since 2015.Nia Long and Ime Udoka.Paul Archuleta/FilmMagicUdoka led the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance during his first year as an NBA head coach. The Golden State Warriors defeated Boston in six games.Udoka will now coach the Rockets, who finished 14th in the western conference with a 22-60 record. Their roster includes Jalen Green, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr., amongst others.Bleacher Reportsuspects they will receive a high lottery pick in this year’s draft.
Ime Udoka.Photo: Maddie Malhotra/Getty
The Houston Rockets will hireIme Udokaas their next head coach, according to atweetfrom ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.Udoka, 45, will replace Stephen Silas in Houston. Silas' overall record as the Rockets' head coach was 59-177 over the last three seasons, according to apress releasefrom the NBA.Udoka’s new position marks his return to the NBA after a year-long suspension and separation from the Boston Celtics after his first season as head coach.Udoka was ultimately suspended as Boston’s head coach due to"violations of team policy"for the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season in a scandal that rocked the NBA and the Celtics basketball organization. Udoka reportedly participated in an alleged inappropriate, consensual relationship with a female colleague, according toCBS.Ime Udoka.Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/GettyHis multiple violations involved one woman, a Celtics spokesman told theAssociated Press. No one else in the organization faced discipline, Celtics majority ownerWyc Grousbeck said, adding how the team will be vigilant to ensure that Udoka’s actions aren’t a preview of a larger problem.Udoka gave astatementto ESPN’s Malika Andrews on the alleged relationship, revealing how he accepts “the team’s decision.““I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” the Portland nativesaid. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.“Ime Udoka.Ezra Shaw/GettySubsequently, the Celtics promoted Joe Mazzulla as its interim head coach, but removed the interim tag during the season, making Mazzulla, 34, their permanent coach.Udoka was in a relationship with actressNia Longfor over one decade. A rep for Long, 52, confirmed to PEOPLE that the engaged couple is “no longer togetherbut remain fully committed to co-parenting their son [Kez].“Kez, Nia Long, Ime Udoka.Robin L Marshall/Getty; Maddie Meyer/Getty"I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public,” Long toldThe Hollywood Reporterlast December.The pair had been engaged since 2015.Nia Long and Ime Udoka.Paul Archuleta/FilmMagicUdoka led the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance during his first year as an NBA head coach. The Golden State Warriors defeated Boston in six games.Udoka will now coach the Rockets, who finished 14th in the western conference with a 22-60 record. Their roster includes Jalen Green, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr., amongst others.Bleacher Reportsuspects they will receive a high lottery pick in this year’s draft.
The Houston Rockets will hireIme Udokaas their next head coach, according to atweetfrom ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.
Udoka, 45, will replace Stephen Silas in Houston. Silas' overall record as the Rockets' head coach was 59-177 over the last three seasons, according to apress releasefrom the NBA.
Udoka’s new position marks his return to the NBA after a year-long suspension and separation from the Boston Celtics after his first season as head coach.
Udoka was ultimately suspended as Boston’s head coach due to"violations of team policy"for the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season in a scandal that rocked the NBA and the Celtics basketball organization. Udoka reportedly participated in an alleged inappropriate, consensual relationship with a female colleague, according toCBS.
Ime Udoka.Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/Getty
His multiple violations involved one woman, a Celtics spokesman told theAssociated Press. No one else in the organization faced discipline, Celtics majority ownerWyc Grousbeck said, adding how the team will be vigilant to ensure that Udoka’s actions aren’t a preview of a larger problem.
Udoka gave astatementto ESPN’s Malika Andrews on the alleged relationship, revealing how he accepts “the team’s decision.”
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” the Portland nativesaid. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.”
Ime Udoka.Ezra Shaw/Getty
Subsequently, the Celtics promoted Joe Mazzulla as its interim head coach, but removed the interim tag during the season, making Mazzulla, 34, their permanent coach.
Udoka was in a relationship with actressNia Longfor over one decade. A rep for Long, 52, confirmed to PEOPLE that the engaged couple is “no longer togetherbut remain fully committed to co-parenting their son [Kez].”
Kez, Nia Long, Ime Udoka.Robin L Marshall/Getty; Maddie Meyer/Getty
“I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public,” Long toldThe Hollywood Reporterlast December.
The pair had been engaged since 2015.
Nia Long and Ime Udoka.Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Udoka led the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance during his first year as an NBA head coach. The Golden State Warriors defeated Boston in six games.
Udoka will now coach the Rockets, who finished 14th in the western conference with a 22-60 record. Their roster includes Jalen Green, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr., amongst others.
Bleacher Reportsuspects they will receive a high lottery pick in this year’s draft.
source: people.com
