Ime Udoka Net Worth: How Rich is the NBA Coach Actually?

Ime Udoka is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Boston Celtics of the NBA. Udoka has also been a basketball player, where he represented the Nigeria national team. The Boston Celtics franchise announced on Thursday, September 22 that they have suspended him for the entire 2022-23 season over violations of team policies. As of 2023, Ime Udoka net worth is roughly around $11.5 million.

Early Life

Ime Udoka was born on August 9 in 1977 in Portland, Oregon. He was born to an American mother and a Nigerian father. Udoka lost his mother in late 2011. He has an older sister, Mfon who currently works as an assistant coach for the Nigerian Women’s basketball team.

For his study, he joined Portland’s Jefferson High School. He has played for the University of San Francisco and Utah State University Eastern. Udoka also starred for the Vikings after he was transferred to Portland State University.

Ime Udoka Net Worth & Career

In the beginning, he played in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators. He was drafted by the Lowgators in the 2002 NBDL Draft. Thereafter, the Los Angeles Lakers called him to play with them. Thereafter, Udoka played and spent some time in Europe, but, after a while, he returned to the United States. The second time, he was drafted in NBDL by the Fort Worth Flyers in the 2005 NBDL Draft.

In April 2006, he was signed by the New York Knicks. Unfortunately, he was waived by the team on September 11, 2006. He was later invited to join the Portland Trail Blazers training camp for the 2006-07 season. Udoka was invited by the Blazers after Aaron Miles failed to clear a physical test. During the preseason, he lost his father. Despite that, he was able to impress the coaching staff with his exceptional defensive skills. In the 2006-07 season, he started in 75 games.

Ime signed a contract with the professional NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. He played in 67 games with the Spurs in the second season. Then, after the 2009 season, he became a free agent. Then, he was re-signed by the Trail Blazers. In October 2009, the Blazers waived him and he was signed by the Sacramento Kings in November. Udoka last played with the New Jersey Nets and UCAM Murcia.

Udoko started working as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich in August 2012. He got his first win with the Spurs after the team defeated the Miami Heat by 4-1 in the 2014 NBA Finals. After that, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant coach in June 2019. After serving a year at the Philadelphia 76ers, he joined the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach in October 2020.

Ime became associated with the Boston Celtics as the team’s head coach in June 2021. During his tenure as a head coach, he led the Celtics to a 51-31 record and led the team in their first NBA Finals since 2010. In September 2022, ESPN sports reporter, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Celtics organization is intending to punish coach Udoka for an organization violation. According to the report, he was engaged in an improper, consensual, and intimate relationship with a female staff member of the Celtics.

The following day, the team suspended him entirely for the 2022-23 season. After his suspension was handed over to him, he soon issued an apology. However, he chose not to resign from his position. The Celtics franchise announced on Thursday, September 22 that his future with the Celtics beyond the 2022-23 season will be made at a later date.

Personal Life

Ime Udoka is currently engaged to actress Nia Long. He first met his lady love more than 12 years ago. The pair went public with their relationship in 2010. The following year, they welcomed their son, Kez Sunday. Udoka proposed to Long with a huge diamond ring in 2015. Even though it has been seven years of their engagement, the couple stated that they have no plans to get married yet.

Ime Udoka Net Worth

Ime Udoka’s personal wealth is estimated to be around $11.5 million as of 2023. He received a salary of $2.3 million during his tenure as an NBA player for San Antonio Spurs. Likewise, he received a salary of $744,551 from the Portland Trail Blazers and $838,034 from the Sacramento Kings.