Houston: Rockets' Ime Udoka Admits 'Remorse' About Celtics Affair

The Houston Rockets introduced 45-year-old Ime Udoka as their new head coach at a press conference Monday. Udoka addressed his affair for the first time in public since he was suspended in September for having an inappropriate affair with a female assistant at the Boston Celtics, per People.

Udoka was asked about his difficult time with the Celtics by the media and said, "I released a statement months ago when everything happened and apologized to a lot of people for the tough position I put them in."

In addition, Ime Udoka stated that he had "much more remorse even now towards" those negatively impacted by the controversy.

The offseason allowed him to "sit back, reflect, and grow," he added.

"And that'll make me a better coach and leader overall."

Houston Rockets Investigates Ime Udoka's Case Before Hiring Him

Tillman Fertitta, the owner of the Houston Rockets, spoke at a news conference where he advocated for forgiveness and said that anyone who would not offer Udoka a second shot in the NBA is not a "good, Christian person," adding that we are a forgiving world. He puts shame on those who do not forgive.

The Rockets investigated Ime Udoka's case before employing him, and they concluded that nothing should preclude him from working again in the NBA, CBS Sports noted.

After having the poorest record in the NBA in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, the Rockets are under intense pressure to make significant strides forward in the upcoming campaign.

The Boston Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals in Udoka's first season as head coach, so Houston Rockets are betting on him to repeat his miracle next year with the Rockets.

Ime Udoka and Boston Celtics

The Celtics promoted assistant coach Ime Udoka to the head coaching position when Brad Stevens was promoted to president. The Celtics started the season 23-24 under Ime Udoka but won 28 of their final 35 games to finish as the league's top team.

For the first time since 2010, they made it to the NBA Finals, thanks to the league's strongest defense. The Golden State Warriors prevailed over the Boston Celtics, but it took them six games to do so.

The Boston Celtics confirmed last year that Ime Udoka would miss the whole 2022-23 NBA season due to suspension.

Ime Udoka allegedly "had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff."

The Celtics have suspended Udoka for violating team policy and promoted assistant coach Joe Mazzulla to acting head coach in his absence.

Ime Udoka said he accepts the team's decision following the alleged affair.

"I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down," he said. He also apologized for putting the team in a difficult situation and accepted the team's decision.

Ime Udoka and Nia Long were together for over ten years. The formerly engaged pair is "no longer together but remain dedicated to co-parenting their son [Kez]," a representative for Long, 52, told PEOPLE.

The Houston Rockets, who went 22-60 and finished last in the Western Conference, have hired Udoka as their next head coach. Players like Jalen Green, Tariq Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. are on their roster.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Introducing Ime Udoka - From Houston Rockets