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Ime Udoka

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Ime Sunday Udoka (/ˈiːmeɪ uːˈdoʊkə/ EE-may ooh-DOH-kə;[1] born August 9, 1977) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in the United States, he represented the Nigeria national team during his playing career. After retiring as a player, Udoka served as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets before becoming the head coach of the Boston Celtics, whom he led to the 2022 NBA Finals. After Udoka was suspended for the entire 2022–23 season for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a Celtics female employee, he was hired by the Rockets in April 2023.

Ime Udoka
Udoka with the Boston Celtics in 2022
Houston Rockets
PositionHead coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1977-08-09) August 9, 1977 (age 46)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
NationalityAmerican / Nigerian
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolJefferson (Portland, Oregon)
College
NBA draft2000: undrafted
Playing career2000–2012
PositionSmall forward
Number5, 8, 3
Coaching career2012–present
Career history
As player:
2000–2001Fargo-Moorhead Beez
2001Independiente
2002–2003North Charleston Lowgators
2003Adirondack Wildcats
2003–2004Charleston Lowgators
2004Los Angeles Lakers
2004Charleston Lowgators
2004Gran Canaria
2005JA Vichy
2005–2006Fort Worth Flyers
2006New York Knicks
2006–2007Portland Trail Blazers
2007–2009San Antonio Spurs
2009–2010Sacramento Kings
2010–2011San Antonio Spurs
2012UCAM Murcia
As coach:
2012–2019San Antonio Spurs (assistant)
2019–2020Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
2020–2021Brooklyn Nets (assistant)
2021–2023Boston Celtics
2023–presentHouston Rockets
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As assistant coach:

Career NBA statistics
Points1,635 (5.2 ppg)
Rebounds926 (2.9 rpg)
Assists308 (1.0 apg)
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  Nigeria
African Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Algeria Nigeria
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Madagascar Nigeria
Olympic Games
Assistant coach for the  United States
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team

Early life

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Ime Udoka was born in Portland, Oregon on August 9, 1977. He attended Portland's Jefferson High School.[2]

College career

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Udoka played for Utah State University Eastern and the University of San Francisco before transferring to Portland State University, where he starred for the Vikings.[3]

Professional career

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Fargo-Moorhead Beez (2000–2001)

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After going undrafted in the 2000 NBA draft, Udoka started his professional basketball career by playing with Fargo-Moorhead Beez from 2000 to 2001.

Independiente (2001)

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Udoka played with Independiente in 2001.

North Charleston Lowgators (2002–2003)

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Udoka played with the North Charleston Lowgators from 2002 to 2003.

Adirondack Wildcats (2003)

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Udoka played with the Adirondack Wildcats in 2003.

Charleston Lowgators (2003–2004)

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Udoka played in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators, who drafted him with 39th overall pick in 2002 NBDL Draft.[4]

Los Angeles Lakers (2004)

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On January 14, 2004, Udoka signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[5]

Fort Worth Flyers (2005–2006)

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After a stint in Europe, which included a brief summer contract with Žalgiris Kaunas, Lithuanian champions and Euroleague participants, Udoka returned to the United States and was once again drafted in NBDL. This time, he was drafted third overall by the Fort Worth Flyers in the 2005 NBDL Draft.[6] Udoka averaged 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Flyers.[7]

New York Knicks (2006)

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On April 6, 2006, Udoka signed with the New York Knicks. He appeared in eight games, averaging 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 14.3 minutes.[8] Udoka was waived on September 11, 2006.

Portland Trail Blazers (2006–2007)

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Udoka was the last player invited to his hometown Portland Trail Blazers' training camp before the 2006–07 season, getting the invitation only after Aaron Miles failed a physical. Despite the death of his father during the preseason,[9] Udoka impressed the coaching staff with his defensive skills and made the team.[citation needed]

After having played in only 12 NBA games in his career, Udoka started all 75 games he played in during the 2006–07 season. He played 28.6 minutes per game while averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 steals.[8]

San Antonio Spurs (2007–2009)

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In 2007, Udoka signed with the San Antonio Spurs.[7][10] He played in 73 games, averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18 minutes.[8]

In his second season with the Spurs, Udoka played in 67 games and started in three, averaging 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15.4 minutes.[8]

Return to Portland (2009)

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After the 2009 season, Udoka became a free agent and eventually re-signed with the Trail Blazers on September 25, 2009.[11] However, he was waived on October 22.[12][13]

Sacramento Kings (2009–2010)

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On November 4, 2009, Udoka signed with the Sacramento Kings.[14] He played in 69 games and started in two, averaging 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.7 minutes.[8]

Return to San Antonio (2010–2011)

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Udoka in 2010

On November 24, 2010, Udoka re-signed with the Spurs.[15] However, he was waived on January 5, 2011, after playing in 20 games and averaging only 0.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in 6.5 minutes.[16]

New Jersey Nets (2011)

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On December 15, 2011, Udoka signed with the New Jersey Nets.[17] However, he was waived on December 23 and did not appear in any games.[18]

UCAM Murcia (2012)

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On January 5, 2012, Udoka signed with UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB.[19]

Coaching career

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San Antonio Spurs (2012–2019)

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On August 28, 2012, the San Antonio Spurs hired Udoka as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich.[20] Udoka won his first championship when the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in five games during the 2014 NBA Finals.[21]

Udoka was also the key for LaMarcus Aldridge's decision to join the Spurs in 2015 as they were teammates on the Portland Trail Blazers during Aldridge's rookie season.[22]

Philadelphia 76ers (2019–2020)

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On June 26, 2019, Udoka was hired as an assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.[23] His head coach on the 76ers at the time, Brett Brown, also coached under Gregg Popovich for the Spurs, and both Udoka and Brown were on the same staff in the 2012–13 season.[24]

Brooklyn Nets (2020–2021)

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On October 30, 2020, the Brooklyn Nets hired Udoka as an assistant coach.[25]

Boston Celtics (2021–2023)

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2021–22 season

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Udoka in 2021

On June 28, 2021, Udoka was hired as head coach of the Boston Celtics, replacing Brad Stevens, who was promoted to President of Basketball Operations earlier that month.[26][27][28][29] Stevens later stated that he hired Udoka as his own replacement as head coach of the Celtics because Udoka had "a great approachability."[30] He became the franchise's sixth African-American head coach, as well as the first head coach of African origin in NBA history.[31]

Although the Celtics began the 2021–22 season with an 18–21 record, they began a turnaround in January and ended up finishing as the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51–31 record.[32][33][34][35] During the turnaround, Udoka earned two Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards, one in February and another for March and April.[36][37] In the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Brooklyn Nets during the first round and then went on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.[38][39] The Celtics went on to defeat the Miami Heat in seven games during the Eastern Conference Finals to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010.[40][41] However, the Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games despite a 2–1 lead.[42][43]

2022–23 season

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On September 22, 2022, the Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022–23 season for violating team policies.[44][45] He was disciplined for engaging in an improper intimate relationship with a female staff member.[46][47] Although the Celtics initially believed the relationship was consensual, the woman later accused Udoka of making unwanted comments towards her.[48][49] He issued an apology after being suspended but chose not to resign from his position due to the violation.[50][51] Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla replaced Udoka as interim head coach.[52]

On February 16, 2023, Mazzulla was named the team's permanent head coach after leading the Celtics to a league-best 42–17 record at the NBA All-Star break, signaling the end of Udoka's tenure in Boston.[53][54][55]

Houston Rockets (2023–present)

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2023–24 season

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On April 25, 2023, Udoka was hired as head coach of the Houston Rockets.[1]

Udoka was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in March after the Rockets won 13 of their 15 games that month.[56][57] In his first season with the team, the Rockets finished with a 41–41 record and barely missed out on the playoffs.[58][59]

National team career

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Udoka was a player on the Nigerian national team. At the 2006 FIBA World Championships, he led Nigeria in scoring, assists, and steals.[31] Udoka also played for Nigeria in the 2005 and 2011 FIBA Africa Championships, winning a bronze medal in both tournaments.[60]

Udoka has served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball under his Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich. Udoka's coaching role on the 2019 FIBA World Cup team helped him build relationships with Celtics players Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, who advocated for his hiring as the new Celtics head coach.[61] Udoka also coached for Team USA under Popovich at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, along with Celtics assistant Will Hardy.[62]

Personal life

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Udoka's father, Vitalis, was of Nigerian descent,[9] which qualified Udoka for Nigerian citizenship. His older sister, Mfon, played in the WNBA. Udoka's mother, Agnes, who died in late 2011, was an American from Illinois.[63]

In November 2011, Udoka's then-girlfriend, Nia Long, gave birth to their first child, a son named Kez.[64] Udoka and Long got engaged in May 2015,[65][66][67] but split in 2022 a few months after his affair with a Celtics staff member came to light.[68]

NBA career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2003–04 L.A. Lakers 4 0 7.0 .333 .000 .500 1.3 .5 .5 .2 2.0
2005–06 New York 8 0 14.3 .375 .333 .500 2.1 .8 .1 .0 2.8
2006–07 Portland 75 75 28.6 .461 .406 .742 3.7 1.5 .9 .2 8.4
2007–08 San Antonio 73 0 18.0 .424 .370 .759 3.1 .9 .8 .2 5.8
2008–09 San Antonio 67 3 15.4 .383 .328 .609 2.8 .8 .5 .2 4.3
2009–10 Sacramento 69 2 13.7 .378 .286 .737 2.8 .8 .5 .1 3.6
2010–11 San Antonio 20 0 6.5 .238 .000 .500 .9 .7 .4 .0 .7
Career 316 80 18.1 .417 .356 .705 2.9 1.0 .7 .2 5.2

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008 San Antonio 16 0 14.8 .465 .400 .714 2.9 1.1 .7 .1 5.4
2009 San Antonio 5 0 20.8 .350 .125 .400 4.6 .8 .8 .2 3.4
Career 21 0 16.2 .440 .354 .583 3.3 1.0 .7 .1 5.0

Head coaching record

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Legend
Regular season G Games coached W Games won L Games lost W–L % Win–loss %
Playoffs PG Playoff games PW Playoff wins PL Playoff losses PW–L % Playoff win–loss %
Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
Boston 2021–22 82 51 31 .622 1st in Atlantic 24 14 10 .583 Lost in NBA Finals
Houston 2023–24 82 41 41 .500 3rd in Southwest - - - - Missed playoffs
Career 164 92 72 .561   24 14 10 .583  

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rockets Name Ime Udoka Head Coach". NBA.com. April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "Source: Celtics hire former Trail Blazer Ime Udoka as new coach". kgw8.com. June 23, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  3. ^ "Celtics hire Ime Udoka as next coach". www.nba.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "2002-03 NBDL Draft Board". NBA.com. October 31, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "Lakers sign Udoka to 10-day contract". ESPN.com. January 14, 2004. Retrieved January 31, 2004.
  6. ^ "2005 NBA D-League Draft Board". NBA.com. November 3, 2005. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Monroe, Mike (August 13, 2007). "Spurs: Udoka agrees to contract". mysanantonio.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Ime Udoka Career Stats Page". NBA.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Nigeria - Former Viking Ime Udoka makes his way". FIBA.basketball. February 16, 2007. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
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  59. ^ Staff, Inside The Rockets (April 14, 2024). "Ime Udoka on Rockets .500 Record to End 2023-24 Season: 'We Have Something to Build On'". Athlon Sports. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  60. ^ "Who is Ime Udoka? Four things to know about Celtics' next head coach". www.sportingnews.com. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
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  62. ^ "How Celtics fans can watch Jayson Tatum, Team USA play this week". RSN. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  63. ^ Mazzeo, Mike (December 15, 2011). "Udoka dealing with tragedy". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  64. ^ Finn, Natalie (November 10, 2011). "Nia Long gives birth to her second son". today.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  65. ^ Mackie, Drew (May 26, 2015). "Nia Long Is Engaged to Ime Udoka". people.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  66. ^ Nessif, Bruna (May 27, 2015). "Nia Long Engaged to Longtime Boyfriend Ime Udoka—See the Ring!". E! News. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  67. ^ Grant, Jasmine (July 24, 2020). "Exclusive: Nia Long Explains Why She's Not A Fan of Marriage". Essence. ISSN 0014-0880. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  68. ^ Brown, Preezy (December 7, 2022). "Nia Long And Ime Udoka Break Up After Celtics Cheating Scandal". VIBE.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
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