Boston Celtics suspend Nigerian-born coach Ime Udoka over affair with female staff
Boston Celtics have suspended Ime Udoka from his role as the franchise head coach for the entirety of the 2022/23 NBA season.
The sanction handed on the former D’Tigers of Nigeria player was announced in a post on the NBA team’s Twitter account in the early hours of Friday.
The Nigerian-American former professional basketball player was suspended over a “violation of team policies” after his extramarital affair with an unnamed female staff member was made public.
Although the relationship was consensual, it broke the franchise’s code of conduct.
Celtic added that “a decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date.”
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 23, 2022
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“The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violations of team policies,” the statement reads.
“A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately.”
The 45-year-old, who is engaged to Nia Long, Holywood actress, apologised for “letting down” his family and the club.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organisation, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka wrote in a statement.
“I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
Udoka was appointed Celtics coach in 2021. He led the team to win the NBA Eastern Conference in his first season in charge. He also led the franchise to their first NBA finals since 2010. But they lost to the Golden State Warriors.
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