Ime Udoka
Ime Sunday Udoka (/ˈiːmeɪ uːˈdoʊkə/ EE-may oo-DOH-kə; born August 9, 1977) is an American-Nigerian professional basketball coach and former player who is currently the head coach for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He represented the Nigeria national team during his playing career.
Early life
Udoka was born in Portland, Oregon on August 9, 1977. He attended Portland's Jefferson High School.[1]
College career
Udoka played for Utah State University Eastern and the University of San Francisco before transferring to Portland State University where he starred for the Vikings.[2]
Professional career
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220502034148im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Ime_Udoka_2.jpg/150px-Ime_Udoka_2.jpg)
Udoka started his professional basketball career by playing in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators who drafted him with 39th overall pick in 2002 NBDL Draft.[3] He was called up to play with the Los Angeles Lakers on January 14, 2004, but was later waived. After a stint in Europe, he returned to the states and once again drafted in NBDL. This time he was drafted 3rd overall by Fort Worth Flyers in 2005 NBDL Draft.[4] He averaged 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Flyers.[5] On April 6, 2006, Udoka was signed by the New York Knicks. Udoka was waived by the Knicks on September 11, 2006.
Udoka was the last player invited to his hometown Portland Trail Blazers training camp before the 2006–07 season, getting the invitation only after Aaron Miles failed a physical. Despite the death of his father during the preseason,[6] Udoka impressed the coaching staff with his defensive skills and made the team.[citation needed] After having played in only 12 NBA games in his career, Udoka started in 75 games played in the 2006–07 season. He played 28.6 minutes per game while averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals.
In 2007, Udoka signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs.[5][7] He played in 73 games averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18 minutes. On his second season with the Spurs, Udoka played in 67 games, and started in three. He averaged 4.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15.4 minutes.[8]
Following the 2009 season, Udoka became a free agent, eventually re-signing with the Trail Blazers.[9] He was waived by the Blazers on October 22, 2009,[10][11] but signed with the Sacramento Kings on November 4, 2009.[12] He played 69 games with the Kings, averaging 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.7 minutes.
On November 24, 2010, Udoka rejoined the Spurs,[13] but he was waived on January 5, 2011 after playing only 20 games.[14]
On December 15, 2011, Udoka signed with the New Jersey Nets.[15] However, he was waived on December 23, 2011.[16]
In January 2012, Udoka signed with UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB.[17]
Coaching career
San Antonio Spurs (2012–2019)
In August 2012, Udoka joined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach for Gregg Popovich. Udoka would win his first championship after the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals 4–1.[18]
Udoka was also the key for LaMarcus Aldridge's decision to join the Spurs in 2015. Both Udoka and Aldridge played together with the Trail Blazers during Aldridge's rookie season.[19]
Philadelphia 76ers (2019–2020)
In June 2019, Udoka was hired as an assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.[20] Udoka's head coach on the 76ers, Brett Brown, also coached under Gregg Popovich for the Spurs, and Udoka and Brown were on the same staff in the 2012–13 season.[21]
Brooklyn Nets (2020–2021)
On October 30, 2020, the Brooklyn Nets hired Udoka as an assistant coach.[22]
Boston Celtics (2021–present)
On June 28, 2021, Udoka was hired as head coach of the Boston Celtics, becoming the 5th head coach of African origin in Boston Celtics history.[23][24][25][26]
National team career
Udoka was a player on the Nigerian national team. At the 2006 FIBA World Championships, Udoka led Nigeria in scoring, assists, and steals.[26] Udoka also played for Nigeria in the 2005 and 2011 FIBA Africa Championships, winning a bronze medal in both tournaments.[27]
Udoka has served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball under his Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich. Udoka's coaching role on the 2019 FIBA World Cup team helped him build relationships with Celtics players Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, who advocated for his hiring as the new Boston head coach.[28] Udoka also coached for Team USA under Popovich at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, along with Celtics assistant Will Hardy.[29]
Personal life
Udoka's father, who was of Akwa Ibom descent, was born in Nigeria and died in 2006,[6] which qualified Udoka for Nigerian citizenship. His older sister, Mfon, played in the WNBA. His mother, who died in late 2011, was an American from Illinois.[30]
In November 2011, Udoka's then-girlfriend, Nia Long gave birth to their first child, Kez Sunday Udoka.[31] The couple became engaged in May 2015.[32]
NBA career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003–04 | L.A. Lakers | 4 | 0 | 7.0 | .333 | .000 | .500 | 1.3 | .5 | .5 | .2 | 2.0 |
2005–06 | New York | 8 | 0 | 14.3 | .375 | .333 | .500 | 2.1 | .8 | .1 | .0 | 2.8 |
2006–07 | Portland | 75 | 75 | 28.6 | .461 | .406 | .742 | 3.7 | 1.5 | .9 | .2 | 8.4 |
2007–08 | San Antonio | 73 | 0 | 18.0 | .424 | .370 | .759 | 3.1 | .9 | .8 | .2 | 5.8 |
2008–09 | San Antonio | 67 | 3 | 15.4 | .383 | .328 | .609 | 2.8 | .8 | .5 | .2 | 4.3 |
2009–10 | Sacramento | 69 | 2 | 13.7 | .378 | .286 | .737 | 2.8 | .8 | .5 | .1 | 3.6 |
2010–11 | San Antonio | 20 | 0 | 6.5 | .238 | .000 | .500 | .9 | .7 | .4 | .0 | .7 |
Career | 316 | 80 | 18.1 | .417 | .356 | .705 | 2.9 | 1.0 | .7 | .2 | 5.2 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | San Antonio | 16 | 0 | 14.8 | .465 | .400 | .714 | 2.9 | 1.1 | .7 | .1 | 5.4 |
2009 | San Antonio | 5 | 0 | 20.8 | .350 | .125 | .400 | 4.6 | .8 | .8 | .2 | 3.4 |
Career | 21 | 0 | 16.2 | .440 | .354 | .583 | 3.3 | 1.0 | .7 | .1 | 5.0 |
NBA
Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston | 2021–22 | 82 | 51 | 31 | .622 | 1st in Atlantic | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | TBD |
Career | 82 | 51 | 31 | .622 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1.000 |
References
- ^ "Source: Celtics hire former Trail Blazer Ime Udoka as new coach". kgw8.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "Celtics hire Ime Udoka as next coach". www.nba.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "2002-03 NBDL Draft Board". NBA.com. October 31, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "2005 NBA D-League Draft Board". NBA.com. November 3, 2005. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Monroe, Mike (August 13, 2007). "Spurs: Udoka agrees to contract". mysanantonio.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Nigeria - Former Viking Ime Udoka makes his way". FIBA.basketball. February 16, 2007. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Spurs add Blazers' sniper Udoka". ESPN.com. August 16, 2007. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Ime Udoka Career Stats Page". NBA.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Trail Blazers Sign Ime Udoka". NBA.com. September 25, 2009. Archived from the original on September 28, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Udoka, Collins waived by Blazers". ESPN.com. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ Quick, Jason (October 22, 2009). "Ime Udoka: 'I thought these times were behind me ...'". oregonlive.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Kings sign Ime Udoka". FOX Sports. November 4, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Spurs Sign Ime Udoka". NBA.com. November 24, 2010. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Spurs Waive Ime Udoka". NBA.com. January 5, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "NETS Sign Ime Udoka". NBA.com. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ Castillo, Jorge (December 24, 2011). "Nets finalize roster by waiving Ime Udoka, keeping Linwood native Dennis Horner". NJ.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Udoka firma por el UCAM Murcia". ucamdeportes.com. January 5, 2012. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Ime Udoka Joins Spurs Coaching Staff". NBA.com. August 28, 2012. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "LaMarcus Aldridge: Ime Udoka got the Spurs deal done". Sports Illustrated. August 24, 2015. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ Pompey, Keith (June 7, 2019). "Sixers hiring Ime Udoka to become lead assistant coach". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Brett Brown". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "Brooklyn Nets Announce Coaching Staff". NBA.com. October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ "Celtics Name Ime Udoka 18th Head Coach in Franchise History". NBA.com. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "Boston Celtics to hire Ime Udoka: Brooklyn Nets Assistant to be named new coach, per report".
- ^ "Celtics hire Nets assistant Ime Udoka as next coach". NBA.com. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "New Celtics head coach Ime Udoka's path from Nigeria to Boston". The Undefeated. June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "Who is Ime Udoka? Four things to know about Celtics' next head coach". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Helin, Kurt (June 23, 2021). "Report: Celtics to hire Ime Udoka as new head coach". ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "How Celtics fans can watch Jayson Tatum, Team USA play this week". RSN. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Mazzeo, Mike (December 15, 2011). "Udoka dealing with tragedy". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ Finn, Natalie (November 10, 2011). "Nia Long gives birth to her second son". today.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ Mackie, Drew (May 26, 2015). "Nia Long Is Engaged to Ime Udoka". people.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
External links
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- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- 1977 births
- Living people
- 2006 FIBA World Championship players
- African Americans in Oregon
- American expatriate basketball people in Argentina
- American expatriate basketball people in France
- American expatriate basketball people in Spain
- American men's basketball players
- American sportspeople of Nigerian descent
- Basketball coaches from Oregon
- Basketball players from Portland, Oregon
- Boston Celtics head coaches
- Brooklyn Nets assistant coaches
- CB Gran Canaria players
- CB Murcia players
- Charleston Lowgators players
- Fort Worth Flyers players
- Independiente de General Pico basketball players
- JA Vichy players
- Jefferson High School (Portland, Oregon) alumni
- Junior college men's basketball players in the United States
- Liga ACB players
- Los Angeles Lakers players
- New York Knicks players
- Nigerian basketball coaches
- Nigerian men's basketball players
- Philadelphia 76ers assistant coaches
- Portland State Vikings men's basketball players
- Portland Trail Blazers players
- Sacramento Kings players
- San Antonio Spurs assistant coaches
- San Antonio Spurs players
- San Francisco Dons men's basketball players
- Small forwards
- Sportspeople from Portland, Oregon
- Undrafted National Basketball Association players
- African-American history of Oregon