Rockets: Nia Long Puts Ime Udoka in Custody Battle Over Failure to Support Kid

Ime Udoka - Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics
(Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka directs his team during the Celtics home opener against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on October 22, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka is currently embroiled in a custody battle with former partner, actress Nia Long, regarding their 11-year-old child, Kez.

The actress made a court filing in Los Angeles to request a judge give her primary legal and physical custody of their son.

The former Celtics coach has been accused of failing to provide financial support to the child, but Long requested the judge to allow a reasonable opportunity for Udoka to visit Kez to the extent that is "consistent with the child's best interest," as per the documents.

The 56-year-old actress broke up with the 46-year-old coach late last year after Udoka entered an improper relationship with a female Celtics staff member.

Read more: Steve Kerr Makes Bold Declaration For Anthony Edwards Ahead of Team USA's World Cup Bid

Ime Udoka's Celtics tenure ended because of an improper relationship

The Celtics initially believed the relationship was consensual, but the woman later accused the head coach of making unwanted comments. The franchise suspended Udoka for the whole 2022-23 NBA season, naming assistant Joe Mazzulla as interim head coach. 

Later in February 2023, Mazzulla was made the official head coach ending Udoka's tenure with the team. 

The undrafted former player led the Celtics to a 51-31 record, the second seed in the Eastern Conference in his lone season with the Beantown 2021-22.

He coached them all the way to the 2022 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Golden State Warriors.

The Brooklyn Nets hired him to replace Steve Nash in November 2022 but backed off after facing backlash. The Houston Rockets officially hired Udoka in April 2023.

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