Ime Udoka is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach and former player, currently the head coach for the Houston Rockets. He played for Nigeria internationally. He previously served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the San Antonio Spurs. Udoka became 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 team employee. He was subsequently hired by the Rockets in April 2023.
In 1970, Ime Udoka's father, Vitalis Udoka, moved from Nigeria to the United States.
On August 9, 1977, Ime Udoka was born. He is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach and former player.
In 2000, after going undrafted in the NBA draft, Ime Udoka began his professional basketball career with Fargo-Moorhead Beez.
From 2000 to 2001, Ime Udoka played with Fargo-Moorhead Beez.
In 2001, Ime Udoka played with Independiente.
From 2002, Ime Udoka played with the North Charleston Lowgators.
In 2002, Ime Udoka was drafted by the Charleston Lowgators with the 39th overall pick in the NBDL Draft.
In 2003, Ime Udoka played with the Adirondack Wildcats.
Until 2003, Ime Udoka played with the North Charleston Lowgators.
On January 14, 2004, Ime Udoka signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2005, after a stint in Europe, Ime Udoka was drafted third overall by the Fort Worth Flyers in the NBDL Draft.
On April 6, 2006, Ime Udoka signed with the New York Knicks.
In 2006, Ime Udoka joined his hometown Portland Trail Blazers after being invited to training camp and impressing the coaching staff.
In 2006, Ime Udoka led the Nigeria national team in scoring, assists, and steals at the FIBA World Championships.
On September 25, 2009, Ime Udoka re-signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, but was later waived.
On November 4, 2009, Ime Udoka signed with the Sacramento Kings.
In February 2010, Ime Udoka met actress Nia Long, and they began a relationship.
On November 24, 2010, Ime Udoka re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
In 2022, The Celtics made their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010.
On November 7, 2011, Nia Long gave birth to their first child, a son named Kez Sunday.
On December 15, 2011, Ime Udoka signed with the New Jersey Nets, but was waived shortly after and did not play any games.
In late 2011, Ime Udoka's mother, Agnes, passed away.
On January 5, 2012, Ime Udoka signed with UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB.
On August 28, 2012, Ime Udoka was hired by the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich.
In 2012, both Udoka and Brett Brown were on the same staff. Brown was also Udoka's head coach on the 76ers at the time.
In 2014, Ime Udoka won his first championship as an assistant coach when the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
In 2015, Ime Udoka was key in LaMarcus Aldridge's decision to join the San Antonio Spurs as they were teammates on the Portland Trail Blazers during Aldridge's rookie season.
On June 26, 2019, Ime Udoka was hired as an assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 2019, Ime Udoka served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball at the FIBA World Cup.
On October 30, 2020, Ime Udoka was hired as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets.
In 2020, Ime Udoka coached for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
On June 23, 2021, it was reported that Ime Udoka was hired as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, replacing Brad Stevens.
In 2021, The Celtics began the 2021-22 season with an 18-21 record.
On September 22, 2022, Ime Udoka was suspended by the Boston Celtics for the entire 2022-23 season for violating team policies due to an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member.
In December 2022, Ime Udoka and Nia Long split up a few months after Udoka's affair with a female Celtics staff member came to light.
In 2022, Ime Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals but the team lost to the Golden State Warriors.
On February 16, 2023, Joe Mazzulla was named the permanent head coach of the Celtics, signaling the end of Udoka's tenure in Boston.
In April 2023, Ime Udoka was hired by the Houston Rockets as head coach following his suspension from the Boston Celtics.
On April 25, 2023, Ime Udoka was hired as the head coach of the Houston Rockets.
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