Ime Udoka’s ‘unwanted comments’ toward Celtics staffer led to investigation (report)

Unwanted comments from Ime Udoka to a female employee started the investigation that led to the Celtics suspending their coach, according to a new report in The Athletic, Friday.

The Celtics announced late Thursday that Udoka would be suspended for the 2022-23 season for a violation of team policy. His status with the team will be re-evaluated after that. Joe Mazzulla, an assistant coach under Brad Stevens and Udoka, will reportedly serve as the interim coach.

The organization offered no further specifics of the nature of the policy violation, but multiple reports Wednesday night and Thursday morning indicated it stemmed from Udoka’s improper relationship with a female member of the organization.

On late Wednesday Shams Charania tweeted:

“Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski received similar information and tweeted on Thursday morning.

“Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is likely facing a suspension for the entire 2022-2023 season for his role in a consensual relationship with a female staff member, sources tell ESPN. A formal announcement is expected as soon as today.”

But after further reporting, Charania wrote in The Athletic that not all elements were consensual:

“The second-year coach’s punishment is a result of an intimate relationship with a female member of the organization, as The Athletic first reported Thursday morning.

Some members of the Celtics organization first became aware of the relationship in July, sources said. At that time, team leadership was led to believe by both parties that the relationship was consensual. But sources said that the woman recently accused Udoka of making unwanted comments toward her — leading the team to launch a set of internal interviews.”

Udoka issued a statement to ESPN’s Malika Andrews. It read:

“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”

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