Ime Udoka facts for kids
Ime Sunday Udoka, born on August 9, 1977, is a well-known Nigerian-American basketball coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his playing days, he proudly represented the Nigerian national team.
After his playing career, Udoka became an assistant coach for several NBA teams. These included the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets. He then became the head coach of the Boston Celtics, leading them to the 2022 NBA Finals. In 2023, he joined the Houston Rockets as their head coach.
Contents
Early life and college
Ime Udoka was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 9, 1977. His father, Vitalis, moved to the U.S. from Nigeria in 1970. His mother, Agnes, was from Illinois. Ime went to Jefferson High School in Portland.
Udoka played college basketball at Utah State University Eastern and the University of San Francisco. He later transferred to Portland State University, where he was a star player for the Vikings.
Playing career
Ime Udoka started his professional basketball journey after the 2000 NBA draft. He played for various teams, including the Fargo-Moorhead Beez and Independiente. He also spent time in the NBDL (now G League) with teams like the North Charleston Lowgators and Charleston Lowgators.
He briefly played for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. After playing in Europe, he returned to the NBDL with the Fort Worth Flyers.
Portland Trail Blazers
In 2006, Udoka joined his hometown team, the Portland Trail Blazers. He impressed the coaches with his strong defense. Despite having played only 12 NBA games before, he started 75 games for the Blazers in the 2006–07 season. He averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
San Antonio Spurs
In 2007, Udoka signed with the San Antonio Spurs. He played two seasons with them, appearing in 73 games in his first year. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds. He later returned to the Spurs for another short period in 2010.
Other NBA teams
Udoka also played for the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings during his NBA career. He finished his playing career in Spain with UCAM Murcia in 2012.
Coaching career
Ime Udoka transitioned from player to coach in 2012.
San Antonio Spurs (Assistant Coach)
On August 28, 2012, the San Antonio Spurs hired Udoka as an assistant coach. He worked under the famous coach Gregg Popovich. Udoka won his first championship as a coach when the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals.
Philadelphia 76ers (Assistant Coach)
In 2019, Udoka became an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. He worked with head coach Brett Brown, who also used to be an assistant under Gregg Popovich.
Brooklyn Nets (Assistant Coach)
Udoka then joined the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach in 2020.
Boston Celtics (Head Coach)
.png)
On June 23, 2021, Ime Udoka was hired as the head coach of the Boston Celtics. He replaced Brad Stevens, who became the team's President of Basketball Operations. Udoka was the first NBA head coach of African origin.
2021–22 season
The Celtics started the 2021–22 season with a tough record. However, they improved greatly starting in January. They finished as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference. Udoka even won two Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards.
In the playoffs, the Celtics played very well. They swept the Brooklyn Nets and then beat the Milwaukee Bucks in a tough seven-game series. They then defeated the Miami Heat to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. However, the Celtics lost the 2022 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
2022–23 season
On September 22, 2022, the Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022–23 season. This was because he broke team rules. He apologized after the suspension. Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla took over as the interim head coach. In February 2023, Mazzulla became the permanent head coach, ending Udoka's time with the Celtics.
Houston Rockets (Head Coach)
On April 25, 2023, Udoka was hired as the head coach of the Houston Rockets.
2023–24 season
In his first season with the Rockets, Udoka was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in March. The Rockets won 13 out of 15 games that month. The team finished the season with an even record of 41 wins and 41 losses, just missing the playoffs.
National team career
Ime Udoka played for the Nigerian national team. In the 2006 FIBA World Championships, he led Nigeria in scoring, assists, and steals. He also won bronze medals with Nigeria in the 2005 and 2011 FIBA Africa Championships.
Udoka has also been an assistant coach for USA Basketball. He worked under his former Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich. He coached for Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where the team won a gold medal.
Personal life
Ime Udoka's father, Vitalis, was from Nigeria, which allowed Ime to have Nigerian citizenship. His older sister, Mfon, also played professional basketball in the WNBA.
In 2010, Udoka met actress Nia Long. They had a son named Kez Sunday in 2011. They got engaged in 2015 but later separated in 2022.
Images for kids
-
Udoka in 2010
