Actress Nia Long is still unhappy with the Boston Celtics for revealing her ex-fiancé Ime Udoka’s inappropriate affair
with a team staffer, which resulted in the head coach’s year-long ban and the end of his 13-year engagement with the
‘Boyz n the Hood’ star.
‘The Celtics decided to make my family business public, and I’m not sure why,’ she told New York Magazine.
‘Everything could’ve been handled internally. I understand why, but I cannot discuss it. Maybe someday I will. You
know, fear drives stupidity, and I’ll leave it at that. I’ve discovered that I’m stronger than I thought I was.
Udoka’s future with the team has been uncertain since he was suspended by the Celtics for the 2022–23 season. He
has been replaced by interim coach Joe Mazzulla, who has led the Celtics to the league’s best 39-16 record.
The incident began in September, with allegations of Udoka’s impending suspension. The Athletic later stated that
the coach made ‘unwanted’ remarks to the woman with whom he had an affair.
The newly single 52-year-old Long stated that her primary priority is the couple’s 11-year-old son, Kez, who has
returned to Los Angeles with his mother after moving to Boston after Udoka was named Celtics head coach in 2021.
‘My sole concern right now is my youngest son, ’cause he’s going through a difficult period,’ Long added. ‘I’m sure
I’m repressing some emotions, but I need to do so in order to care for him first. That is the giving. It’s natural. I’m
sure I’ll have to come back to myself multiple times to resolve things. But I’m trying not to be angry.
