Boston Celtics head coach and former Nigeria captain Ime Udoka is facing disciplinary action which could include a long-term suspension for his role in a consensual, intimate relationship with a woman who is a member of the team’s backroom staff, according to reports in the United States of America today.
Udoka, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, his first campaign as head coach, is engaged to famous actress Nia Long, and they have an 11-year-old son together.
According to ESPN, the relationship between 45-year-old Udoka and the unnamed member of staff was considered a violation of the Celtics’ guidelines, and a decision on the length of that suspension is expected to come as soon as today.
While no final decision has been made, internal discussions have included scenarios that would keep Udoka out for the whole 2022/2023 season, ESPN added, although he is expected to keep his job.
Udoka, who won bronze with Nigeria’s D’Tigers at the 2006 and 2011 AfroBasket during his playing days, joined the Celtics last summer after spells the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach following his NBA playing career.
In his first season as Celtics coach, Udoka massively improved the team, leading them to a 28-7 record over their final 35 games.
They then had a brilliant run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.
Udoka is the fifth coach in the past 25 years to reach the NBA Finals in his first season as a head coach, and the first since Nick Nurse in 2019.
He also, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, became the first rookie coach to win multiple Game 7s in his first post-season, with victories over the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals and the Miami Heat in the East finals.
Boston Celtics eventually lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games in the NBA Finals.
The Celtics are due to host their annual media day on Monday, and training camp is set to open on Tuesday ahead of the new season, with Udoka likely not to be in charge.
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