BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 11: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics talks with Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden on March 11, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season because he violated the organization’s guidelines. Shortly after the team made a formal announcement, a troubling report surfaced.
Initially, it was reported that Udoka had an intimate relationship with a female member of the team’s staff. That relationship was believed to be consensual.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Celtics launched an investigation into Udoka’s relationship with the female staff member after she accused him of making unwanted comments towards her.
“Some members of the Celtics organization first became aware of the relationship in July, sources said. At that time, team leadership was led to believe by both parties that the relationship was consensual,” Charania wrote. “But sources said that the woman was recently accused Udoka of making unwanted comments towards her – leading the team to launch a set of internal interviews.”
If this report is accurate, NBA fans think the Celtics should fire Udoka.
“Well…he’s gone,” one person said.
“It would be one thing if it were a consensual situation but it wasn’t,” another person wrote. “He needs to go.”
“Oh he’s done for,” a third fan tweeted.
On Thursday night, Udoka apologized for his role in all of this.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said, via ESPN. “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.”
Udoka had a really impressive first season with the Celtics, leading the franchise to an NBA Finals appearance. Now, he’ll spend the 2022-23 season away from the bench.
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