The Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka issued a statement after he was suspended by the organization for what the team is calling “violations of team policies.”
Ime Udoka via Boston Celtics YouTube
The Celtics announced Udoka’s suspension sharing a statement to Twitter that reads, “The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-2023 season for violations of team policies.”
“A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately.”
Boston Celtics Twitter
Earlier on September 22nd, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski indicated that the suspension announcement was likely and it was “for his role in a consensual relationship with a female staff member.”
Adrian Wojnarowski Twitter
Wojnarowski also appeared on SportsCenter where he stated, “In recent days I’m told Celtics president Brad Stevens became aware of this improper relationship as it’s being termed within his organization between Ime Udoka and another female member of the organization. There have been a lot of discussions here in the last days getting to where the Celtics are tonight, which is I think, perhaps within an hour or two, but certainly this evening Boston’s going to announce, I’m told that Ime Udoka will be suspended for the entire 2022-2023 season.”
“Essentially Boston just as an organization, ownership, management decided that there was just a break down in trust and judgment in Udoka’s leadership that has caused a penalty that is as severe as any not only coach, but team executive has gotten in recent memory in the NBA,” he added.
Reporting on the imminent season-long suspension for Celtics coach Ime Udoka on Sportscenter with @ElleDuncanESPN. pic.twitter.com/VPQHkaxXsR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022
However, CBS Boston’s Anna Meiler claims that a new report details that this woman who was initially reported to be in a consensual relationship with Udoka “recently accused him of making unwanted comments towards her.”
Udoka issued a statement via ESPN’s Malika Andrews. He said, “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down.”
“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,” he added.
Malika Andrews Twitter
Udoka joined the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2021. In his first season with the team he led them to a 51-31 record and an appearance in the NBA Finals, where they eventually fell to the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 103-90.
What do you make of Udoka’s statement and his suspension from the Celtics?