With the new NBA season right around the corner, Celtics coach Ime Udoka should be focused on gearing up his squad for another long 82-game campaign. Instead, he is facing a year-long suspension with his job, reputation, and relationship on the line.
According to sources, Udoka finds himself in this situation after having an affair with a fellow Celtics staffer. While the relationship was reportedly consensual, it may lead to a series of moves that could change his life forever.
Ime Udoka’s Partner Makes A Statement On Scandal
As the world continues to await updates, Udoka’s long-time fianceé, Nia Long, finally broke her silence with the following statement:
Actress Nia Long has issued her first statement following the yearlong suspension of her longtime partner, Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. In an emailed statement to Boston.com Friday morning, the award-winning actress asked for privacy to “process the recent events” and vowed to “continue to focus” on her children.“The outpouring [of] love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me,” Long said. “I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children.”
The Celtics formally announced Udoka’s suspension Thursday evening for “violations” of team policies. A league source told the Globe that Udoka had an improper consensual relationship with a female member of the organization.
Long, known for films such as “The Best Man,” “Boyz N the Hood,” and “Soul Food,” first met Udoka in Boston in February 2010. At the time, Long was filming a pilot for NBC, and Udoka, then a player with the Sacramento Kings, was playing the Celtics.
For us fans, it can be hard to see the situation from her perspective, but she is the one most impacted by all of this. While the Celtics may have lost their coach, her family has been torn apart forever — and that’s not something to take lightly. Throughout this process, Long’s privacy should continue to be protected, especially as more facts come to light.
For now, we will just have to watch and wait to see how this all plays out. But it’s really not a good situation for anyone involved.
