Ime Udoka

Ime Sunday Udoka ( EE-may ooh-DOH-kə; born August 9, 1977) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in the United States, he represented the Nigeria national team during his playing career. After retiring as a player, Udoka served as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets before becoming the head coach of the Boston Celtics, whom he led to the 2022 NBA Finals. In April 2023, Udoka was hired by the Rockets.

Early life Ime Udoka was born to Vitalis and Agnes Udoka on August 9, 1977, in Portland, Oregon. Vitalis moved to the United States from Nigeria in 1970 while Agnes was an American from Illinois. Udoka attended Jefferson High School in Portland.

College career Udoka played for College of Eastern Utah and the University of San Francisco before transferring to Portland State University, where he starred for the Vikings.

Professional career

Fargo-Moorhead Beez (2000–2001) After going undrafted in the 2000 NBA draft, Udoka started his professional basketball career by playing with Fargo-Moorhead Beez from 2000 to 2001.

Independiente (2001) Udoka played with Independiente in 2001.

North Charleston Lowgators (2002–2003) Udoka played with the North Charleston Lowgators from 2002 to 2003.

Adirondack Wildcats (2003) Udoka played with the Adirondack Wildcats in 2003.

Charleston Lowgators (2003–2004) Udoka played in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators, who drafted him with 39th overall pick in the 2002 NBDL Draft.

Los Angeles Lakers (2004) On January 14, 2004, Udoka signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fort Worth Flyers (2005–2006) After a stint in Europe, which included a brief summer

San Antonio Spurs (2012–2019)
On August 28, 2012, the San Antonio Spurs hired Udoka as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich. Udoka won his first NBA championship when the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in five games during the 2014 NBA Finals. Udoka was also the key for LaMarcus Aldridge's decision to join the Spurs in 2015 as they were teammates on the Portland Trail Blazers during Aldridge's rookie season.

Philadelphia 76ers (2019–2020)
On June 26, 2019, Udoka was hired as an assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. His head coach on the 76ers at the time, Brett Brown, also coached under Gregg Popovich for the Spurs, and both Udoka and Brown were on the same staff in the 2012–13 season.

Brooklyn Nets (2020–2021)
On October 30, 2020, the Brooklyn Nets hired Udoka as an assistant coach.

Boston Celtics (2021–2023)

2021–22 season

On June 23, 2021, it was reported that the Boston Celtics had hired Udoka as their head coach, replacing Brad Stevens, who was promoted to President of Basketball Operations a few weeks prior. The hiring became official five days later. Udoka became the franchise's sixth African-American head coach, as well as the first head coach of African origin in NBA history. Stevens later stated that he hired Udoka as his own replacement as head coach since Udoka had "a great approachability".
Although the Celtics began the 2021–22 season with an 18–21 record, they began a turnaround in January and finished as the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51–31 record. During the turnaround, Udoka earned two Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards, one in February and another for March and April. During the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round before beating the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Celtics went on to defeat the Miami Heat in seven games during the Eastern Conference Finals to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010. However, the Celtics lost the 2022 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors in six games despite a 2–1 lead.

2022–23 season
On September 22, 2022, the Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022–23 season for violating team policies. He was disciplined for engaging in an improper intimate relationship with a female staff member. Although the Celtics initially believed that the relationship was consensual, the woman later accused Udoka of making unwanted comments towards her. He issued an apology after being suspended, but Udoka chose not to resign from his position due to the violation. Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla replaced Udoka as interim head coach.
On February 16, 2023, Mazzulla was named the team's permanent head coach after leading the Celtics to a league-best 42–17 record at the NBA All-Star break, signaling the end of Udoka's tenure in Boston.

Houston Rockets (2023–present)

2023–24 season
On April 24, 2023, it was reported that the Houston Rockets hired Udoka as their head coach. The hiring became official the next day.
Udoka was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in March 2024 after the Rockets won 13 of their 15 games that month. In his first season with the team, the Rockets finished with a 41–41 record and narrowly missed the playoffs.

2024–25 season
Udoka was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in January 2025 after the Rockets won 11 of their 15 games that month. They ultimately finished with a 52–30 record to clinch the Southwest Division for the first time in six years and finished as the #2-seed in the conference for the 2025 playoffs, behind the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the Rockets lost to the Warriors in seven games during the first round of the playoffs.

2025–26 season
On June 19, 2025, Udoka signed a multi-year contract extension with the Rockets. In the midst of a blockbuster trade where Kevin Durant was acquired by the Rockets, they finished once again with a 52–30 record, this time as the #5-seed in the conferen