AP Source: Celtics Hire Nets Assistant Udoka As New Coach
Jun 23, 2021, 2:39 PM | Updated: Dec 8, 2022, 11:18 am
Assistant Coach Ime Udoka of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 01, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have hired Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka to be their new coach, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
The hiring was first reported by ESPN.
The Boston Celtics are finalizing an agreement to hire Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka as the franchise's new coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2021
Udoka, 43, spent seven years on Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio, including the 2013-14 season, when the Spurs won the NBA title.
He joined the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 and was with the Nets last year.
Congrats to our very own Ime Udoka.
The first Nigerian head coach in NBA History!
The Celtics got a good one! Green and white like always. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/zltGKz0ntA
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) June 23, 2021
Udoka replaces Brad Stevens, who stepped away from the bench and into the front office when Danny Ainge retired this month.
