Nigerian-born American basketball coach and player Ime Udoka is serving a one-year suspension as the head coach of the NBA’s Boston Celtics. Udoka is widely considered to be the first coach from Nigeria in the NBA.
As an assistant coach with the Spurs, he contributed to their 2014 NBA Finals triumph over the Miami Heat by a score of 4-1. At the 2005 FIBA Africa Championships in Algeria and the 2011 FIBA Africa Championships in Madagascar, he was a member of the Nigerian national team that won bronze both times.
Nia Long, an actress known for her roles in “The Best Man” and “Third Watch,” is currently engaged to him. Udoka’s forthcoming disciplinary action has lately made headlines, and it looks like he could be suspended for a significant amount of time for a consensual relationship.
What is Ime Udoka’s Net Worth?
| Net Worth | $12 Million |
| Name | Ime Udoka |
| Age | 45 Years Old |
| Height | 1.98M |
| Profession | Basketball Coach |
| Salary & Income | $500 Thousand (per year) |
| Last Updated | 2022 |
Early Life
On August 9, 1977, in Nigeria, Ime Udoka was born to Agnes Udoka, a housewife, and Vitalis Udoka, a businessman. His older sister Mfon used to be a WNBA player.
Originally from Portland, he attended Jefferson High School and later transferred to UC San Francisco. Udoka transferred to Portland State University after some time.
Career as a Player
At Portland State, where he completed his collegiate career, Udoka posted averages of 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. In 2004, Udoka was called up to play with the Lakers after being drafted by the Charleston Lowgators of the NBDL (now the G-League) at the 39th spot. Udoka was let go after just four games.
After playing in another league for a while, Udoka averaged 17.1 points per game upon his return to the NBDL. In 2006, he was given a contract by the Knicks, however, he was later waived again.
Udoka’s local team, the Portland Trail Blazers, signed him, and he started all 75 games for them in 2006–07.
The Blazers waived Udoka despite his 8.4 ppg average and 40.6% three-point shooting that season so they could make room for rookie Patty Mills, whose coach Udoka would eventually assist lead to a championship with the Spurs in 2014.
Later, Udoka played for the Spurs for three more seasons after spending two years in San Antonio and one year in Sacramento. He retired to Spain.
Coaching Career
Udoka got his start in the coaching industry in 2012 as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs. He spent seven years with the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, and in 2014 he helped lead them to their first NBA title.
He replaced Monty Williams as the head assistant coach for the 2019–20 Philadelphia 76ers season. He spent the previous seven years with the San Antonio Spurs before joining the 76ers.
Starting in 2020–21, Udoka will serve as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets before becoming the Celtics’ head coach the following season. The 2022 NBA Finals were the first time the Celtics had made it that far under his direction, however, they lost to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors. In addition, he coached the United States Olympic team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Suspension
On Twitter, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said that Udoka could be facing a “major suspension” due to disciplinary action. As a result of the likely disciplinary punishment, he will miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
Shams Charania claims that he was wrongfully accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a female coworker. According to the franchise’s guidelines, his behavior was inappropriate.
Personal Life
A mutual friend in Boston arranged a date for Udoka and Nia in February of 2010. Nia is a famous actress who had a child, Massai, with her ex-boyfriend, Massai Z. Dorsey, ten years before meeting Udoka.
They began dating in 2010, had their son Kez Sunday Udoka the following year, and got engaged in 2015.
Ime Udoka Net Worth
A mutual friend in Boston arranged a date for Udoka and Nia in February of 2010. Nia is a famous actress who had a child, Massai, with her ex-boyfriend, Massai Z. Dorsey, ten years before meeting Udoka.
They began dating in 2010, had their son Kez Sunday Udoka the following year, and got engaged in 2015.
Coaching
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich recruited Ime Udoka as an assistant in August of 2012. Udoka’s Spurs defeated the Miami Heat 4 games to 1 in the 2014 NBA Finals, giving Udoka his first championship. Udoka was appointed as an assistant head coach by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019, however, he was quickly poached by the Brooklyn Nets.
