The Celtics have their new head coach.
According to multiple reports, the team has hired Ime Udoka, who will replace Brad Stevens behind the Celtics bench.
Udoka isn't exactly well known, so what's his background?
The 43-year-old has been around the game a long time and most recently was a Nets assistant (2020-21) and before that was an assistant with the 76ers (2019-20). With that being said, the majority of his coaching experience came with the Spurs, as he served under Gregg Popovich from 2012-19.
Prior to coaching he spent some time in the NBA, as well as playing overseas for a few years.
Overall, he spent seven years in the league playing for five teams, the longest being the Spurs for three seasons. His best year came in 2006-07 when he started 75 games for the Trail Blazers and averaged 8.4 points per game. Nothing was handed to him as he went undrafted out of Portland State.
Udoka does have some national experience, as he served as an assistant coach on the USA Basketball World Cup team in 2019 where he coached Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.
During his playing days, Udoka played on the Nigerian national team.
He's engaged to actress Nia Long, who has been in several movies, including Big Momma's House and Big Momma's House 2, as well as the television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.