The fiance of renowned actress Nia Long and Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka reportedly faces disciplinary action for his role in a cheating scandal involving a female member of his staff.
UPDATE: This article has been updated with Ime Udoka’s statement, as well as the Boston Celtics’ decision on the coach’s future.
Ime Udoka faces suspension for allegedly cheating on Nia Long
Per ESPN, sources within the NBA team that came close to a championship last season claim the 45-year-old could be sanctioned for violating the Celtics’ code of conduct. However, early into the scandal, it’s firmly believed that Udoka’s job is not in jeopardy.
UPDATE: In a statement released on Thursday, the Celtics confirmed Udoka has been suspended for the entire 2022/2023 NBA season. “A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date,” the team noted.
Udoka led the Celtics as head coach for the first time in the 2021/2022 NBA Championships season. His first year at the franchise culminated in a historic season for Boston.
The team went from under .500 in January 2022 to a 28-7 record toward the tail end of the season. The Celtics bolstered their way past the Eastern Conference playoffs, but inexperience got the better of Udoka’s squad in the Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
This was Celtics’ first NBA Finals in 12 years, and much of the credit went to Udoka’s coaching skills, which he honed during his tenures as an assistant coach at the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
UPDATE: Following the online backlash, Udoka issued an apology to his players, fans, the Celtics, “and my family for letting them down.” “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,” he said.
Nia Long and Ime Udoka’s relationship timeline
Before Udoka salvages his reputation in the court of public opinion, he has a home to save. The Celtics coach is engaged to renowned Hollywood actress Nia Long, and together, they have a boy, Kez Sunday Udoka.
The basketball coach also plays a pivotal role in the life of Long’s eldest son from a previous relationship, 21-year-old Massai Zhivago Dorsey II. The couple met and fell in love back in 2010, per People.
What started out as a relationship complicated by conflicting work schedules escalated to Udoka’s first punt at parenthood when, in 2011, the couple welcomed their first child.
“We both have beautiful careers. The thing that I think makes it work for us is we give each other the space and time to do what we have to do individually, as well as together,” Long said back when her fiance had accepted the Celtics position.
Five years into their relationship, Udoka popped the question. He and Long have been engaged ever since, with no plans made public about their wedding. In fact, in a 2020 interview on Essence‘s Yes Girl podcast, Long hinted at the couple possibly never walking down the aisle.
“I understand the religious aspect of marriage. That is beautiful and it’s fantastical and it’s dreamy and it’s every girl’s fantasy to have that moment. But I don’t know that I need that. Love is complicated … and then you start a marriage, which I’ve never been married.
“And there’s a reason for that because I don’t know that I need to say ‘I do’ to prove to you that I love you. But also, what does marriage really [mean] … that you own me now and I own you? I don’t get that part,” she said at the time.
Here are some of the social media reactions to Udoka’s cheating scandal.
