Ime Udoka is among the most popular, modern coaches in the NBA today. He rose through the ranks, putting in the work and, when given the opportunity, showed he could lead a team on a successful run in the National Basketball Association.
Ime Udoka, despite being American by birth, opted to represent Nigeria at international level, thanks to his father Vitalis Udoka, who moved to the United States in 1970.
In this piece, we will delve into the greatness of Ime Udoka as we dissect his humble beginnings, career achievements, controversies, and journey to becoming the first Nigerian head coach in the NBA.
Who is Ime Udoka?
Ime Sunday Udoka (born August 9, 1977) is a Nigerian-American basketball coach and former player. He currently serves as the head coach of the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Early Life and Education
Ime Udoka was born on August 9, 1977, in Portland, Oregon, to a multicultural family. His father, Vitalis Udoka, hails from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, while his mother is from Illinois. Udoka’s family has a strong athletic background, with his older sister, Mfon, being a former WNBA player.
Udoka’s educational journey began at Jefferson High School in Portland. He then attended the University of San Francisco before transferring to Portland State University, where he continued his academic and athletic pursuits.
College Career
Ime Udoka’s basketball journey began at Jefferson High School, followed by college stints with the San Francisco Dons and Portland State Vikings. Despite going undrafted in the 2000 NBA Draft, Udoka’s determination and hard work eventually paid off.
NBA Career
Udoka’s professional career took off after being drafted by the Charleston Lowgators in the 2002 NBDL Draft. He made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, albeit briefly, playing only six minutes as a reserve.
Udoka’s journey then took him to Europe, where he played for Spanish club Gran Canaria and French club JA Vichy.
Returning to the United States, Udoka was selected by the Fort Worth Flyers in the 2005 NBDL Draft. He averaged an impressive 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Flyers.
Udoka’s performances caught the attention of the New York Knicks, who signed him in April 2006. Although he was waived later that year, Udoka’s big break came when he joined his hometown team, the Portland Trail Blazers.
Tragedy struck during the 2006-2007 season, as Udoka lost his father. However, he demonstrated remarkable professionalism and resilience, starting 75 games for the Blazers and averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game. Udoka’s impressive defense skills and work ethic had finally earned him a spot in the NBA.
Ime Udoka: Coaching Career
Udoka’s coaching career began in 2012 when he joined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach. During his time with the Spurs, he played a key role in the team’s success, including their 2014 NBA Championship win.
His experience working under the legendary Gregg Popovich proved invaluable, and he quickly developed a reputation as a talented young coach.
In 2019, Udoka joined the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant coach, where he worked under Brett Brown, another former Spurs assistant coach. The following year, he moved to the Brooklyn Nets, where he continued to hone his coaching skills.
In 2021, Ime Udoka landed his first head coaching job with the Boston Celtics. Despite a rocky start, he led the team to a remarkable turnaround, finishing the season with a 51-31 record and earning two Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards.
The Celtics went on to make a deep playoff run, ultimately falling to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
However, Udoka’s tenure in Boston was cut short due to a team policy violation, and he was suspended for the entire 2022-2023 season. Despite this setback, Udoka remained committed to his coaching career and was eventually hired by the Houston Rockets in April 2023.
In his first season with the Rockets, Udoka led the team to a 41-41 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. Despite this, he was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in March, a testament to his coaching abilities and the team’s improvement under his leadership.
Ime Udoka: National team career – Nigeria and USA
So what was Ime Udoka’s national team career like? As a player, he represented the Nigerian national team with distinction.
He led the team in scoring, assists, and steals at the 2006 FIBA World Championships. Udoka also participated in the 2005 and 2011 FIBA Africa Championships, winning bronze medals in both tournaments.
In addition to his playing career, Udoka has also made a significant impact as a coach for USA Basketball. He served as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich, his former head coach at the San Antonio Spurs, at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
This experience helped the Nigerian star build valuable relationships with several Celtics players, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, who later advocated for his hiring as the Celtics’ head coach.
Udoka’s coaching stint with USA Basketball continued at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where he worked alongside Celtics assistant Will Hardy under Popovich’s guidance. The time spent with Team USA further solidified Udoka’s reputation as a talented and versatile coach.
Personal life & Controversy
According to ESPN, Udoka engaged in an intimate relationship with a female staff member, which broke team rules. He also allegedly used crude language toward the woman, who was considered a subordinate.
At the time, Udoka was in a long-term relationship with his fiancee, actress Nia Long.
Udoka’s future with the Celtics was uncertain, and he never returned to the team. Instead, Joe Mazzulla, who had taken over as interim coach, had the tag removed in February 2023 and became the permanent head coach.
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from Boston, Udoka still attracted interest from other teams.
The Brooklyn Nets initially considered hiring him as their head coach but ultimately decided against it due to the circumstances surrounding his suspension.
The Houston Rockets, however, saw past Udoka’s mistakes and hired him as their head coach after the season.
Ime Udoka: Networth & Salary
Money makes the world go round and Ime Udoka is certainly not short of cash. The former Celtics head coach has made a respectable fortune during his time in The NBA.
As of 2024, his net worth is a whopping $9 million. Not bad for a coach who’s been at the centre of one of the biggest controversies in the NBA.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Udoka’s lucrative coaching career is the main reason behind his impressive net worth.
The Houston Rockets signed him to a 4-year contract worth $28.5 million and his stock has continued to rise.
Recap – 10 quick facts about Ime Udoka
– Born: August 9, 1977, in Portland, Oregon
– Nigerian-American basketball coach and former player
– Head coach of the Houston Rockets (2023-present)
– Led Boston Celtics to 2022 NBA Finals as head coach
– Net worth estimated at $9 million as of 2024
– Played college basketball for the University of San Francisco and Portland State
– Represented Nigeria in international competitions, including the 2006 FIBA World Championships
– Won NBA championship as assistant coach with San Antonio Spurs in 2014
– Had a child with ex-fiancé Nia Long, but their engagement was called off after the scandal.
