Boston Celtics have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the whole of 2022-23 NBA season for “violations of team policy.”
The suspension takes effect immediately, although according to the management, a decision about the head coach’s future with the Celtics beyond this season will be reached at a later date.
ESPN and The Athletic reported that the 45-year-old Nigerian-American coach had a consensual relationship with a female Celtics staff member, which violated the franchise’s code of conduct.
The Celtics, however, have not provided details on Udoka’s policy violations but in a statement collected by ESPN, Udoka is said to have accepted Celtic’s decision.
“I want to apologise to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organisation, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision,” Udoka said in the statement.
“Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment,” he added.
In the interim, Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla has been handed the baton as head coach for the 2022-23 campaign, ESPN reported.
