NBA: Ime Udoka Becomes New Houston Rockets Head Coach
Houston Rockets have hired American-Nigerian Ime Udoka as the head coach of the NBA team, the basketball outfit announced on Wednesday.
Udoka was suspended by the Boston Celtics just before the 2022-23 season after he violated the team’s policies due to an inappropriate relationship with a member of the organisation.
In his lone season with the Celtics in 2021-22, Udoka guided Boston to a 51-31 record and an NBA Finals appearance.
Join us in welcoming our new head coach Ime Udoka to the team!⁰⁰Read more: https://t.co/BYJ3dTZ81f pic.twitter.com/w381SvjajK
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 26, 2023
“We are excited to welcome Ime to the Houston Rockets,” Houston Rockets General Manager, Rafael Stone, said. “Ime’s intelligence, drive and toughness were the traits we were looking for in a coach to lead our team through this next stage of our development as we strive to become a champion.”
“We were honoured to have the opportunity to speak to multiple outstanding candidates throughout the interview process and felt that Ime’s vision best aligned with the goals the Fertitta Family and myself have for the future of the Rockets.”
Udoka, 45, will replace Stephen Silas in Houston after the Rockets parted ways with the 49-year-old earlier this month. Silas spent three seasons with the Rockets, where they went 59-177 over the course of his time there.
The hiring marks Udoka’s first coaching job in the league since his season-long suspension that led to him parting ways with the Celtics.
