Ime Udoka Biography: Age, Net Worth, Instagram, Spouse, Height, Wiki, Parents, Siblings, Career, Awards
May 20, 2026 • 8:34 am Posted By
Ime Sunday Udoka is a Nigerian-American professional basketball coach and former player, who is the head coach for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association.
Born in the United States, he also represented the Nigeria national team during his playing career. Despite being born in the United States, Udoka chose to represent Nigeria due to his Nigerian heritage and his desire to help develop the sport in his father’s home country.
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His experience playing for the Nigerian national team has also given him a unique perspective and understanding of the global basketball community.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Ime Sunday Udoka
- Stage Name: Ime Udoka
- Born: August 9, 1977
- Age: 48 years old
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States
- Nationality: Nigerian-American
- Occupation: Nigerian-American professional basketball coach and former player
- Height: 1.98 m
- Parent: Vitalis Udoka and Agnes Udoka
- Siblings: 1, Mfon Udoka
- Spouse: Nia Long (2015 to 2026)
- Children: 1, Kez Sunday Udoka
- Relationship: Divorced
- Net Worth: $8 million
Early Life and Education
Ime Sunday Udoka was born on August 9, 1977, in Portland, Oregon, United States, and was raised by his parents Vitalis Udoka, a Nigerian immigrant, and Agnes Udoka, an American from Illinois. He grew up with one sibling, his sister Mfon Udoka.
Ime attended Jefferson High School before starting his collegiate career at the College of Eastern Utah and then transferring to the University of San Francisco. He finished his collegiate career at Portland State before starting his professional basketball career.
Career
Ime Sunday Udoka had a successful career as both a player and a coach. His playing career spanned 12 years, including 7 seasons in the NBA (2003-2011) where he played for teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sacramento Kings.
He also represented the Nigerian national team, leading them in scoring, assists, and steals at the 2006 FIBA World Championships and winning bronze medals with them at the 2005 and 2011 FIBA Africa Championships.
After retiring, he began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, where he had the opportunity to work under coaching legends like Gregg Popovich. During his time with the Spurs, he helped the team win an NBA championship in 2014.
He then went on to serve as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets before becoming the head coach of the Boston Celtics in 2026. In his first season as head coach, he led the Celtics to a successful season with a 51-31 record and a trip to the 2026 NBA Finals.
Currently, Udoka is the head coach of the Houston Rockets, a position he has held since April 2026. Known for his defensive strategies and ability to connect with players, Udoka has quickly established himself as a rising star in the coaching world.
Awards and Nominations
- As a Player:
- FIBA Africa Championship: Bronze Medal (2005, 2011) with Team Nigeria
- All-G League: First Team (2005-06), Second Team (2003-04)
- Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award (2006)
- As a Coach:
- NBA Championship (2014): Assistant Coach with San Antonio Spurs
- NBA Eastern Conference Champion (2026): Head Coach with Boston Celtics
- NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month (x2): February 2026, March/April 2026 (with Boston Celtics)
Additional Notes:
While Udoka had a successful season as Head Coach of the Celtics in 2026, he finished fourth in the Coach of the Year award voting.
Social Media
Ime Sunday Udoka’s social media accounts are unknown.
Personal Life
Ime Sunday Udoka was previously engaged to actress for several years, starting in 2015. However, the couple split in December 2026 due to a reported violation of team guidelines caused by an affair with a Celtics staff member.
Despite their separation, they remain committed to co-parenting their son, Kez Sunday Udoka, who was born in November 2011.
Net Worth
Ime Sunday Udoka is a successful Nigerian-American professional basketball coach and former player.
He has made a name for himself in the world of basketball and has accumulated an estimated net worth of $8 million through his career.
Udoka’s hard work, dedication, and talent have allowed him to achieve financial success while also making a significant impact in the sport.
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About The Author
Haruna Ayuba, known as DC Abba, is a seasoned blogger, content writer, Senior Publisher, and Hiring Manager at TheCityCeleb. He excels in editorial refinement, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and polish in every piece. He is currently studying Biochemistry at Bayero University, Kano.
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