Nia Long and Ime Udoka split after 13 years together

Nia Long and Boston Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka have split after 13 years together, following his alleged affair with a member of the team organization.

Her rep confirmed the split, noting that they are ‘no longer together but remain fully committed to co-parenting their son [Kez]’ via People.

The split comes just days after Nia slammed the Boston Celtics for their handling of the scandal involving her now ex-fiance.

Former: Nia Long and Boston Celtics Head Coach Ime Udoka have split after 13 years together, following his alleged affair with a member of the team organization; seen in 2017 

The situation is unfortunate and painful, but Nia is focusing on her children and rebuilding her life,’ a source told the outlet. 

Nia, 53, and Ime, 45, share one son together: Kez, 11. Nia is almost mom to son Massai, 22, with ex Massai Z. Dorsey.

The actress and the sports coach have been engaged since 2015; they first met in 2009 while he was in the NBA, playing for the Sacramento Kings.

Nia and Ime were set up by a mutual friend while she was filming in Boston and he was in Boston playing against them with the Kings, per the Boston Globe. 

The way they were: The split comes just days after Nia slammed the Boston Celtics for their handling of the scandal involving her now ex-fiance; seen with their son Kez, 11, and her son Massai, 22

Nia slammed the sports organization earlier this month while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter.

She revealed that the NBA franchise did not reach out to her since Ime’s alleged affair with a team staff member was revealed in September.

Nia had said that they did not make any effort to check on her or her sons. 

‘If you’re in the business of protecting women – I’m sorry, no one from the Celtics organization even called to see if I’m OK, to see if my children are OK. It’s very disappointing,’ Nia said to the outlet.

Adding: ‘I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public. It was devastating, and it still is. He still has moments where it’s not easy for him.’  

‘I literally felt like my heart had jumped out of my body,’ she told the outlet on the public nature of the alleged affair.

‘And then what I found was this tribe of women and men who were standing up for me in a way that felt like I was in this bubble of protection, and that was very comforting,’ she explained to THR. 

Ime was suspended as the head coach for the Boston Celtics in September, replaced by interim coach Joe Mazzulla. 

Suspended: ESPN.com reported that he had a ‘role in an intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise’s staff,’ which People later confirmed; seen on June 17, 2022

At the time, the Celtics said that Ime had ‘violated’ team policies and that his future with the team was under evaluation.

ESPN.com reported that he had a ‘role in an intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise’s staff,’ which People later confirmed. 

Ime apologized to the team, fans and his family in a statement via ESPN‘s Malika Andrews: ‘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.’

In a statement to People, Nia said at the time: ‘The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me. I asked that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children.’