Udoka Makes History As First Nigerian-American Head Coach In NBA

By Daily sports on June 29, 2021

Former Nigeria basketball international Ime Udoka has been named as the new coach of the Boston Celtics in the NBA.

The 43-year-old was recruited by the Celtics’ outgoing head coach Brad Stevens, who has been promoted to the team’s president of basketball operations to replace Danny Ainge.

His appointment made him the first Nigerian-American to be named as the head coach of an NBA side.

“Among the many outstanding qualities that Ime brings to the table are his character, humility, and competitiveness,” Stevens said on the Celtics website.

“He has a relentless work ethic and a vast array of experiences as a player and coach.

“He’s a leader that is warm and demanding, and we are so excited that he has chosen to join us in pursuit of banner 18.”

Udoka’s appointment came after spending time as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, the Philadelphia 76ers and most recently the Brooklyn Nets, all of whom reached the playoffs during his time with them.

“It’s an honour to be a part of the historic Celtics franchise. Coaching this talented roster and working alongside Brad [Stevens] makes it an ideal situation,” Udoka told the team’s website.

“I’d like to thank Wyc [Grousbeck, Celtics CEO] Steve [Pagliuca, co-owner], and Brad for entrusting me with this opportunity. I look forward to getting started right away.

He represented Nigeria in international competition throughout his playing career, earning bronze medals in 2005 and 2011 at the African Championships.

In addition to his coaching experience in the NBA, Udoka was also an assistant coach for Gregg Popovich and the USA Basketball Men’s National Team in 2018.

Udoka played 12 years of professional basketball, including seven seasons in the NBA from 2003-04 to 2010-11. He played 316 career games with San Antonio, Portland, Sacramento, New York, and the Los Angeles Lakers. (Guardian NG)

•PHOTO: Ime Udoka 

Source Daily sports

Posted June 29, 2021


 

You may also like...
Thiago Silva Eager To Continue With Chelsea

Rangers not chasing NPFL title, says Ilechukwu

Rodgers Responsible For My Leicester City Resurgence —...

Atalanta slam €70m price tag on Lookman

Nigeria does not have coach, team yet, Gombe...

Pascal Durugbor: An Agent’s Joy over Success of...

 

Latest News Sports kits not inferior, NSC boss replies to Amusan’s criticism Sports editors knock NFF over Eagles’ World Cup woes Why I ran 400m despite injury – Ogazi N30m for grabs at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club 2025 tourney Amusan knocks Nigeria’s World Championships kits Joshua vs Fury biggest fight in boxing — Hearn Benue govt owes me N400m – Ex-Lobi boss Iorfa Aruna knocked out of WTT Champions Macao Meet Nigeria’s medal hopefuls at the 2025 World Athletics Championships Osimhen to return for Gala UCL opener Paris 2024 lessons fuel my world championship dream – Amaechi Nathaniel tipped for Tokyo 2025 podium

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (59,174 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (50,368 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (48,346 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (47,938 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (47,937 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (47,916 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (47,730 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (47,284 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (46,404 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (44,982 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (43,433 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (42,856 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media