The Boston Celtics announced Thursday night that Ime Sunday Udoka, also known as Ime Udoka, a 45 years old Nigerian-American head coach and former NBA player for the Boston Celtics, has been placed on leave by the club for the following 2022–23 NBA season.

Ime Udoka is a American Nigarian former basketball player and coach
Ime Udoka got the suspension order from the Boston Celtics club. Image Source: yahoo.

In their announcement, the Celtics claimed violations of team policies as the reason for their decision. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was informed in the past by sources that Udoka had a physical relationship with a female team member of the franchise.

According to the statement published by the team, the suspension will go into force immediately, and a decision regarding Udoka’s future with the organization will be taken later.

The suspension of an NBA head coach for an entire season is unusual. And Joe Mazzulla is the temporary head coach of the Celtics, according to Wojnarowski.
Ime Udoka apologizes to his club and team member. Image Source: Sky Sports

Udoka apologized to players, fans, the Celtics organization, and his family. “I apologize for putting the team through this, and I respect their decision. I won’t speak out of respect for everyone involved.”

The suspension of an NBA head coach for an entire season is unusual. And Joe Mazzulla is the temporary head coach of the Celtics, according to Wojnarowski. The finest assistant coach for Udoka, Will Hardy, also left in June to take over the Utah Jazz.

Furthermore, before joining the Celtics last summer, Udoka worked as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets after retiring from his NBA playing career.

Later, he took over as head coach, succeeding Brad Stevens. After his predecessor in that role, Danny Ainge, decided to depart the club, Stevens was promoted to vice president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics.

Ime Udoka worked as a head coach for the Boston Celtics club
Ime Udoka was a former professional NBA basketball player Image Source: Forbes.

In his debut season as coach, Udoka led the Celtics from under.500 in late January to 28-7 over their final 35 games. They then went to the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.

Moreover, Udoka is the only first-year head coach to make it to the NBA Finals since Nick Nurse in 2019. He is one of only five coaches in the past 25 years to do so.

Per ESPN, he became the first rookie coach to win three Game 7s in his first postseason. Udoka guided Boston to wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat in seven games before the NBA Finals. Besides, look at the relationship status between Ime and the actress Nia Long.

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