Retired Basketball Player Udoka Set To Become First Nigerian Head Coach in NBA History

Retired Basketball Player Udoka Set To Become First Nigerian Head Coach in NBA History

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:47 PM
  • Ime Udoka has worked as assistant manager at San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and now Brooklyn Nets
  • The Nigerian-American is being poached to become the new head coach at Boston Celtics any moment from now
  • Udoka who had an amazing career as a basketball player has had a relatively impressive shot in the managerial role

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A 43-year-old Nigerian-American former professional basketball star Ime Udoka is set to be appointed as the new head coach of Boston Celtics.

It was gathered team are currently negotiating with the Brooklyn Nets assistant and are already dotting the lines of a deal for him to assume the role.

It was gathered that Udoka had been a staunch disciple of Gregg Popovich who is the San Antonio Spurs coach having worked with the legend as assistant coach for seven years.

NBA Side Boston Celtics Set to Hire Former Nigerian-American Star As New Head Coach
Ime Udoka set to become Boston Celtics head coach. Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant
Source: Getty Images

Udoka was also Popovich’s assistant at the 2019 World Cup tournament.

The Nigerian-American played for the Philadelphia 76ers for a year before spending this past season on the Nets staff. Sky Sports wrote:

"The Portland, Oregon, native played a total of 316 games over seven seasons, averaging 5.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and the Spurs, before retiring in 2012 and joining Popovich's staff in San Antonio.
"He was with the Spurs for seven seasons, including in 2013-14, when they won the NBA title."

The ESPN report cited Celtics players' positive reviews referencing Udoka's work at the World Cup tournament.

Bar owner upset with LeBron James?

Meanwhile, a pub owner based in Ohio who banned viewing NBA games right inside his facility until LeBron James is expelled has stated that business has improved.

According to him, since such a move was made, more and more customers now troop into his outlet as he received positive feedback.

He explained that his position received overwhelming support from the public which has even surpassed the negatives.

The increase in customers comes after Linneman posted that Linnie’s won’t air NBA games as long as James is still in the league after his controversial comments on police.

Legit.ng earlier reported that NBA legend, Lebron James has reportedly increased his shares in Liverpool following his decision to partner with the American ownership group Fenway.

The 36-year-old multiple award-winning basketball star held a two percent stake in the Premier League defending champions since 2011.

However, reports in the US reveal LeBron bought an undisclosed number of shares in Fenway Sports Group - the same firm that owns the baseball team Boston Red Sox.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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