Career Timeline of Ime Udoka: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ime Udoka made an impact.

Ime Udoka is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach, currently the head coach for the Houston Rockets. He previously played in the NBA and internationally for Nigeria. Udoka gained coaching experience as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets. He achieved notable success as head coach of the Boston Celtics, leading them to the 2022 NBA Finals. However, he was suspended for the 2022-23 season due to an inappropriate relationship with a female Celtics employee before being hired by the Rockets.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2000: Udoka Enters Professional Basketball

In 2000, Ime Udoka started his professional basketball career after going undrafted in the 2000 NBA draft.

2001: Udoka Plays with Fargo-Moorhead Beez

From 2000 to 2001, Ime Udoka played with the Fargo-Moorhead Beez.

2001: Udoka Plays with Independiente

In 2001, Ime Udoka played with Independiente.

2002: Udoka joins the North Charleston Lowgators

In 2002, Ime Udoka started playing with the North Charleston Lowgators.

2002: Udoka Drafted by Charleston Lowgators

In 2002, Ime Udoka was drafted with the 39th overall pick in the NBDL Draft by the Charleston Lowgators.

2003: Udoka Plays with the North Charleston Lowgators

From 2002 to 2003, Ime Udoka played with the North Charleston Lowgators.

2003: Udoka Played with Adirondack Wildcats

In 2003, Ime Udoka played with the Adirondack Wildcats.

January 14, 2004: Udoka Signs with Los Angeles Lakers

On January 14, 2004, Ime Udoka signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2005: Udoka Played for Nigeria in FIBA

In 2005, Ime Udoka played for Nigeria in the FIBA Africa Championships, winning a bronze medal.

2005: Udoka Drafted by Fort Worth Flyers

In 2005, Ime Udoka was drafted third overall by the Fort Worth Flyers in the NBDL Draft after a stint in Europe. He averaged 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Flyers.

April 6, 2006: Udoka Signed with New York Knicks

On April 6, 2006, Ime Udoka signed with the New York Knicks.

2006: Udoka Joins Portland Trail Blazers

In 2006, Ime Udoka joined his hometown Portland Trail Blazers' training camp and made the team, impressing the coaching staff with his defensive skills.

2006: Udoka Played for Nigeria in FIBA

In 2006, Ime Udoka played for the Nigerian national team at the FIBA World Championships, leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals.

2007: Udoka Signed with the San Antonio Spurs

In 2007, Ime Udoka signed with the San Antonio Spurs.

September 25, 2009: Udoka Re-Signs with Trail Blazers

On September 25, 2009, Ime Udoka re-signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.

November 4, 2009: Udoka Signed with Sacramento Kings

On November 4, 2009, Ime Udoka signed with the Sacramento Kings.

November 24, 2010: Udoka Re-Signs with Spurs

On November 24, 2010, Ime Udoka re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs.

2010: Celtics First NBA Finals appearance since 2010

In 2022, The Celtics made their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010.

January 5, 2011: Udoka Waived by Spurs

On January 5, 2011, Ime Udoka was waived by the San Antonio Spurs.

December 15, 2011: Udoka Signed with New Jersey Nets

On December 15, 2011, Ime Udoka signed with the New Jersey Nets.

2011: Udoka Played for Nigeria in FIBA

In 2011, Ime Udoka played for Nigeria in the FIBA Africa Championships, winning a bronze medal.

January 5, 2012: Udoka Signed with UCAM Murcia

On January 5, 2012, Ime Udoka signed with UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB.

August 28, 2012: Udoka Hired as Spurs Assistant Coach

On August 28, 2012, Ime Udoka was hired as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich.

2012: Udoka and Brown on Spurs Staff

In 2012, Ime Udoka and Brett Brown were on the same coaching staff for the San Antonio Spurs.

2014: Udoka Won NBA Championship with Spurs

In 2014, Ime Udoka won his first NBA championship as an assistant coach when the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals.

2015: Udoka Key in Aldridge Joining Spurs

In 2015, Ime Udoka played a key role in LaMarcus Aldridge's decision to join the San Antonio Spurs.

June 26, 2019: Udoka Hired as Assistant Coach of 76ers

On June 26, 2019, Ime Udoka was hired as an assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.

2019: Udoka Assistant Coach for USA Basketball

In 2019, Ime Udoka was an assistant coach for USA Basketball at the FIBA World Cup.

October 30, 2020: Udoka Hired as Assistant Coach of Nets

On October 30, 2020, Ime Udoka was hired as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets.

2020: Udoka Coached at Summer Olympics

In 2020, Ime Udoka coached for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

June 23, 2021: Udoka Hired as Head Coach of Celtics

On June 23, 2021, it was reported that Ime Udoka was hired as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, replacing Brad Stevens.

2021: Celtics Under Udoka

In 2021, The Celtics began the 2021–22 season with an 18–21 record.

September 22, 2022: Udoka Suspended by Celtics

On September 22, 2022, Ime Udoka was suspended by the Celtics for the entire 2022–23 season for violating team policies due to an improper relationship with a female staff member.

2022: Udoka led Celtics to NBA Finals; Suspended for Inappropriate Relationship

In 2022, Ime Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, but later in September 2022, he was suspended for the entire 2022-23 season for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a Celtics female employee.