Fans rallied behind Nia Long after the actress’ fiancé and Boston Celtics coach, Ime Udoka, began trending online on Sept. 21 for various reasons.
The list includes Udoka facing a possible suspension following an alleged affair with a female staff member. Long and Udoka have been together for over a decade and reportedly got engaged in 2015. The couple also shares a 10-year-old son named Kez Sunday Udoka.
According to ESPN, Udoka could face a suspension for the entire 2022-2023 season. A source told the news outlet that the reason for the suspension was because the 45-year-old’s alleged relationship, reportedly consensual in nature, violated the organization’s guidelines, its code of conduct.
Although no additional details surrounding Udoka’s alleged actions with the unidentified staff member have been released to the general public, the Boston Celtics franchise is reported to make an official announcement soon.
The source also claims that Joe Mazzulla will step in as interim coach. Udoka began coaching the team last summer. During his first year as head coach, Udoka led the team to the NBA finals in May.
As Udoka’s cheating allegations circulated online, many expressed how shocked they were by the news. Several comments mentioned how Udoka potentially fumbled his career and relationship with the “Best Man” star. Others went as far as suggesting that Udoka get removed from the league entirely.
“Ime Udoka cheated on Nia Long, get him out the league.”
“Ime Udoka fumbled Nia Long and the NBA Finals. I’ve never seen an L worse than this one.”
“Can’t even cap bruh cheating on Nia Long is absolutely ludicrous…as a player i wouldn’t listen to NOTHING he say to me ever again.”
“Nia Long held that man down when he had nothing, nobody, believed in his dream. She ain’t neva been in the press for anything negative, only her work. Ime Udoka is trash. He finally reaches his dream & does her like this? Karma is Angela Bassett – #firehim.”
The same day news broke about Udoka’s alleged affair, Long seemingly responded to the accusations by sharing an inspirational video on her Instagram story. The post, voiced by an unidentified male, talked about changing one’s life.
It said, “When you see people change their whole life and start walking down a path of enlightenment. I’m talking about hugging trees, connecting with nature, loving themselves, embracing the positivity, letting that light shine. Understand one thing: That light that you see; you know you see the happiness, you see the smile, and you see all the rainbows and all that stuff. Understand one thing about that light that they got; they had to go into the darkness to get it. Them people is not the type of people that you want to play with.”
Details regarding Long and Udoka’s current relationship status have yet to be released.
