The famous Ime Sunday Udoka is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association, currently suspended by the team for the 2022–23 season. He represented the Nigeria national team during his playing career.
Udoka started his professional basketball career by playing in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators who drafted him with the 39th overall pick in the 2002 NBDL Draft. He was called up to play with the Los Angeles Lakers on January 14, 2004, but was later waived. After a stint in Europe, Udoka returned to the United States and was once again drafted in NBDL.
This time he was drafted third overall by the Fort Worth Flyers in the 2005 NBDL Draft. He averaged 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Flyers. On April 6, 2006, Udoka was signed by the New York Knicks. Udoka was waived by the Knicks on September 11, 2006.
Udoka was the last player invited to his hometown Portland Trail Blazers’ training camp before the 2006–07 season, getting the invitation only after Aaron Miles failed a physical. Despite the death of his father during the preseason, Udoka impressed the coaching staff with his defensive skills and made the team. Citation needed After having played in only 12 NBA games in his career, Udoka started in 75 games played in the 2006–07 season. He played 28.6 minutes per game while averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals.
Which part of Nigeria is Ime Udoka from?
Udoka’s father was of Nigerian descent, which qualified the younger Udoka for Nigerian citizenship. His older sister, Mfon, played in the WNBA. His mother, who died in late 2011, was an American from Illinois. he comes from the South-South part of Nigeria.
