Ime Sunday Udoka ( EE-may ooh-DOH-kə; born August 9, 1977) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in the United States, he represented the Nigeria national team during his playing career. After retiring as a player, Udoka served as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets before becoming the head coach of the Boston Celtics, whom he led to the 2022 NBA Finals. In April 2023, Udoka was hired by the Rockets.
Ime Udoka was born to Vitalis and Agnes Udoka on August 9, 1977, in Portland, Oregon. Vitalis moved to the United States from Nigeria in 1970 while Agnes was an American from Illinois. Udoka attended Jefferson High School in Portland.
Udoka played for College of Eastern Utah and the University of San Francisco before transferring to Portland State University, where he starred for the Vikings.
Fargo-Moorhead Beez (2000–2001)
After going undrafted in the 2000 NBA draft, Udoka began his professional basketball career in the minor leagues, including a stint with the Fargo-Moorhead Beez of the International Basketball Association during the 2000–01 season.
Udoka played with Independiente in 2001.
North Charleston Lowgators (2002–2003)
Udoka played with the North Charleston Lowgators from 2002 to 2003.
Udoka played for the Adirondack Wildcats of the United States Basketball League in 2003, where he averaged 19.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in 15 games.
Charleston Lowgators (2003–2004)
Udoka played in the NBDL with the Charleston Lowgators, who drafted him with 39th overall pick in the 2002 NBDL Draft.
On January 14, 2004, Udoka signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
After a stint in Europe, which included a brief summer contract with Žalgiris Kaunas, Lithuanian champions and Euroleague participants, 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. Udoka averaged 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Flyers.
On April 6, 2006, Udoka signed with the New York Knicks. He appeared in eight games, averaging 2.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 14.3 minutes. Udoka was waived on September 11.
Portland Trail Blazers (2006–2007)
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.
Udoka was the last player invited to his hometown Portland Trail Blazers' training camp before the 2006–07 season after an opening emerged when Aaron Miles failed his physical. He impressed the coaching staff with his defensive ability and earned a place on the regular-season roster.
After having played in only 12 NBA games in his career, Udoka started all 75 games he played in during the 2006–07 season. Udoka averaged 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 steals in 28.6 minutes per game.