Celtics Owner Says Team First Knew Of Ime Udoka Allegations In Summer

The Boston Celtics had identified concerning the allegations towards Ime Udoka for a pair months on the most … crew proprietor Wyc Grousbeck stated on Friday.

Grousbeck addressed the scenario surrounding his crew’s head coach publicly for the primary time with media members since banning Udoka on Thursday for one full yr, and whereas he declined to get into any specifics of the case, he did say the Celtics have been first made conscious of the claims sooner or later this summer time.

Grousbeck says the crew instantly introduced in a regulation agency to research … and it concluded its probe on Wednesday.

After studying of the agency’s findings, Grousbeck stated, the Boston proprietor and different execs inside the Celtics org. decided to suspend Udoka for everything of the 2022-23 season.

Grousbeck reiterated Friday that the punishment might go on longer than only one yr.

Udoka is accused of getting an inappropriate relationship with a feminine staffer throughout his one yr as Celtics coach. Neither the crew nor Udoka has addressed the allegations particularly, although Udoka did difficulty an apology on Thursday night time following the announcement of his ban.

“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka stated. “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.”

Udoka was employed by the Celtics in June 2021. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens stated that they had no indication that he had been responsible of any misconduct at his earlier jobs throughout his interview course of.

“Nothing but glowing remarks,” Stevens stated.