We’re learning more about Ime Udoka’s affair with a Celtics staffer.
On Friday, the Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire upcoming season for breaking “organizational rules.”
Breaking: The Celtics have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/Ize4aVx8IE
— ESPN (@espn) September 23, 2022
According to The Athletic, Udoka had a “consensual relationship” with a team staffer starting in July, but she later complained to the organization when he reportedly made “unwanted comments” toward her recently.
The woman who had a relationship with Ime Udoka recently accused him of making unwanted comments toward her, leading the team to launch internal interviews, sources tell @ShamsCharania.
Inside the decision to suspend him for the entire season ⤵️ https://t.co/PGJ9rq0XW3
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 23, 2022
TMZ is reporting that the staffer in question was the team’s travel planner and even helped Udoka’s fiancée Nia Long move to Boston.
The Celtics employee with whom Ime Udoka had an affair helped make all his travel arrangements … and that job sometimes included organizing travel for his fianceé, Nia Long. https://t.co/Qqumf1p06R
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 24, 2022
“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.
Perhaps most upsetting for Nia is that the employee had a hand in Nia’s arrangements to move to Boston permanently, according to our sources.”
Long released a statement on Friday after Udoka was suspended by the Celtics.
Nia Long statement to @etnow:
The outpouring of love & support from family, friends & the community during this difficult time means so much to me. I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother & will continue to focus on my children.— Nischelle Turner (@nischelleturner) September 23, 2022