Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week.
Just months removed from coming out of the Eastern Conference and making the NBA Finals in his first year, Udoka became embroiled in a sordid controversy.
Earlier this week it was reported that Udoka was involved in a “consensual” relationship with a female Celtics staffer. The organization promptly handed down a one-year suspension – leading many to wonder about the severity of the punishment.
Would a “consensual” relationship between two adults, even with the power dynamics involved and whatnot, really warrant that severe of a penalty? Surely enough, in the days since, fresh details have emerged.
The first new tidbits came from entertainment reporter Kevin Frazier:
multiple sources confirm , #Celtics female staffer’s affair w/ Celtics Coach #ImeUdoka was uncovered by her husband when he overheard a private conversation on a home doorbell camera.
— Kevin Frazier (@KevinFrazier) September 25, 2022
According to well placed sources, even after the affair was discovered by the Celtics, the female staffer continued to work with #NiaLong on her move to Boston. Nia did not learn about the affair until the disciplinary action by the franchise was made public.
— Kevin Frazier (@KevinFrazier) September 25, 2022
TMZ then seemed to confirm that latter bit:
“Sources connected to the couple and the NBA franchise tell TMZ … one of the staffer’s duties included planning Udoka’s team-related travel, and we’re told she was also involved in booking travel for Nia to come to Boston or to road games,” the report noted.
This entire ugly ordeal has consistently produced awful headlines for Udoka and the Celtics on a daily basis. This weekend proved to be no exception.
Between the talk of how Udoka was allegedly snitched on by a prominent Celtics player and ESPN NBA insider Ramona Shelburne’s ominous warning of what’s to come – it has been one thing after another.
Paige Spiranac hates 1 college football team above all others. https://t.co/PRkhqeRb73
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 24, 2022
For now, Udoka has simply been suspended by the Celtics. But it is hard to see how he recovers from all this.
Will he coach another game for the franchise ever again?
Time will tell.
Related: Texas Tech Fan’s Encounter With Texas Cheerleader Goes Viral (Video)
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
