The Boston Celtics announced Thursday that they have suspended coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season for violating team policies. Udoka's ban begins immediately; the Celtics will decide his future later.
In response to Boston Celtics' decision, Udoka issued the following statement:
"I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, 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."
Udoka's inappropriate relationship with a team staff member is the cause of his ban. He allegedly opted against resigning, though, according to CBS Sports.
New Details on Udoka's Alleged Affair
According to insiders, certain team members first learned about the Celtics scandal in July. Both parties at that time gave the impression that the connection was consensual to the team leader.
However, according to reports, the lady recently accused Udoka of making inappropriate statements toward her, which prompted the group to conduct a series of internal interviews.
The organization's decision and statement on the Celtics scandal were made during a lengthy, behind-closed-doors meeting on Thursday that included the team owners and president Brad Stevens, The Athletic reported. Stevens and the Celtics management officials met with players at the team facility earlier on Thursday.
It is important to note that Udoka is not married. However, he and his fiancée Nia Long have a 10-year-old daughter. For the past seven years, the two have been engaged. The identity and background of the other woman Udoka was in a relationship with were not disclosed. per Clutch Points.
Furthermore, it is still unknown what "unwanted comments" Ime Udoka directed towards the unknown woman. According to sources, it was severe enough for the Celtics to open a thorough investigation, which led to Udoka's ultimate one-year suspension.
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Boston recruited Udoka in June of last year. The Celtics under Udoka got out to a 23-24 start before dominating the rest of the regular season by winning 28 of their last 35 games. They advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, finishing with the top defense in the NBA. Golden State beat Boston in six games.
Udoka spent seven of his nine seasons as an assistant coach with Gregg Popovich's San Antonio Spurs before taking on one-year contracts with Brett Brown's Philadelphia 76ers and Steve Nash's Brooklyn Nets.
Joe Mazzulla Takes Over
According to ESPN, assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will assume the role of temporary coach. The Celtics did not reveal who would take over the team in the press statement announcing Udoka's suspension.
After being hired by then-president Danny Ainge in 2019, Mazzulla served as an assistant coach for both Udoka and Stevens. He had an interview for the Utah Jazz's open head coaching post earlier this summer, but Will Hardy, a former assistant coach for the Boston Celtics, ultimately won the job.
According to the Boston Globe, Mazzulla was then given a promotion to a front-of-bench position by Boston.
Mazzulla began his coaching career in 2013-14 at Fairmont State as an assistant. After three seasons, he left to play for the Maine Red Claws of the G League for a single season. He coached Fairmont State for two years, leading the team to a 43-17 record and a first-round NCAA Division II Tournament exit.
