As now suspended head coach of the Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka’s life begins to crumble around him, and insiders are starting to give their perspectives. A close friend of his fianceè, Nia Long, has spoken out, revealing “issues” with one of the Celtics players who possibly “snitched” on Ime’s entanglement.
“[Ime] has been going back and forth with [a player on the Celtics], and now this drops. It’s no coincidence,” the unnamed source said to Media Takeout. “If this was a consensual relationship, someone had to tell [the management at the Celtics.] It wasn’t Ime or the b***h. So who else could it have been.”
The potential for a disgruntled player to out Udoka’s side tryst is a blockbuster development, indeed. However, it is still unconfirmed with very little details about what actually transpired.
NEW: Statement from Celtics coach Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/MFutFx7c3l
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 23, 2022
Udoka issued a statement on Thursday.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said. “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.”
Nia Long also issued her own statement on Friday.
“The outpouring love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me,” Long said to The Boston Globe. “I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children.”
Udoka’s side piece is rumored to be everyone from former WNBA player and current VP of Player Development and Organizational Growth for the Boston Celtics, Allison Feaster, to an unnamed married white staffer.
Long’s friend claims that the player played an integral part in the Celtics’ success last season and that his gripes with Udoka have been ongoing due to differences in temperament.
“Ime is about basketball, that’s what he lives for, and he pushes people. [The player] didn’t like Ime’s style and they butted heads,” the unnamed friend said. “[Ime] really messed up. Nia is devastated and embarrassed. And his career is in shambles. No one won in this. F**k Ime, f**k [the unnamed Celtics player], let’s all just be here for Nia.”
Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens address the decision to suspend Ime Udoka for the upcoming NBA season. pic.twitter.com/3rH3koSvib
— ESPN (@espn) September 23, 2022
Boston Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck revealed the organization’s decision to suspend Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 NBA season was decided after an investigation by an independent law firm found multiple violations of team policies. However, the organization found about about the issue within the past few weeks.
“I am concerned about the situation and its impact on everybody in the Celtics’ organization,” Grousbeck said during a news conference at the team’s practice facility on Friday. “I do hope this represents the beginning of a new chapter, and a chance to turn the page and move forward with things, to some extent, resolved.”
“We’re not going to get into our deliberations,” Grousbeck continued. “This felt right, but there’s no clear guidelines for any of this. It’s conscience and gut feel. We collectively came to this and got there but it was not clear what to do but it was clear something substantial needed to be done, and it was.”
Grousbeck said Udoka’s suspension will end June 30, 2023, the last day of the 2022-23 league year. He also said it would come with a “significant” financial penalty and that the organization would discipline only Udoka.
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