The Boston Celtics reported Thursday that they have suspended coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-2023 NBA season for "violating the internal rules" of the franchise. The official statement on the coach's suspension comes after the news in the United States was advanced that Udoka had maintained a consensual relationship with a female member of the team.
"The Boston Celtics announced that the team has suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-2023 season for violating team rules. A decision on his future will be made at a later date. The suspension is effective immediately," reads the statement released by the historic Boston franchise.
Udoka, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last year in his first experience as head coach in the league, will not be able to coach next season, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 19. Born in Portland in 1977, Udoka competed in Gran Canaria and Murcia in his playing career and, in his coaching career, he worked for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach.
The Celtics did not release the name of Udoka's replacement, though it may be Joe Mazzulla, 34, who has been an assistant head coach for the past three years.
