Longtime actress Nia Long asked the public to respect her privacy after the Boston Celtics suspended her fiancé and their head coach Ime Udoka for having an affair with a female staff member of the organization.
“The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me,” Long told PEOPLE. “I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children.”
The Boston Celtics released a statement about Udoka’s suspension on Sept. 2022.
“A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately,” the statement read.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 23, 2022
While the statement didn’t say why he was suspended, ESPN reported that the suspended head coach engaged in an “intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise’s staff.”
The 51-year-old actress and 45-year-old Ukoka got engaged in 2015, sharing their son, Kez Sunday Udoka, who was welcomed into the world in 2011. Long has another son from a previous relationship with actor Massai Dorsey, 21-year-old Massai Dorsey II.
In response to the affair allegation, Udoka gave a statement through ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka stated. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.”
He concluded the statement with, “Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
NEW: Statement from Celtics coach Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/MFutFx7c3l
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 23, 2022
According to ESPN’s sources, the assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will most likely become the interim head coach for the Boston Celtics until further notice.
