Nia Long‘s fiancé, Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka, is reportedly facing a year-long suspension from the NBA for “improper” conduct with a member of the Boston Celtics team staff.
Udoka allegedly had an “intimate and consensual” relationship with a female staffer according to a report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The relationship is reportedly a violation of the franchise’s code of conduct, which is why the head coach is facing suspension.
“Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of the franchise’s code of conduct,” Charania wrote Thursday (Sept. 22).
Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2022
ESPN reports that Udoka is “likely facing a suspension for the entire 2022-23 season.” Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla is likely to become Boston’s interim coach for the season, sources told the outlet.
Udoka joined the Celtics last summer after spending time with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ersand Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach following his NBA playing career. In his first season as coach, Udoka led the Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years. The Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals.
Udoka and Long have been together since 2010 and were engaged in 2015 according to US Weekly. Long and Udoka share their 10-year-old son Kez. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum also shares son Massai, 21, with ex Massai Z. Dorsey.
The female staffer’s name has not been made public. A formal announcement from the NBA on Udoka’s length of suspension is expected as soon as Thursday.
Take a look at how fans are reacting on Twitter:
