Ime Udoka

Fargo-Moorhead Beez (2000–2001)

After going undrafted in the 2000 NBA draft, Udoka started his professional basketball career by playing with Fargo-Moorhead Beez from 2000 to 2001.^{[citation needed]}

Independiente (2001)

Udoka played with Independiente in 2001.^{[citation needed]}

North Charleston Lowgators (2002–2003)

Udoka played with the North Charleston Lowgators from 2002 to 2003.^{[citation needed]}

Adirondack Wildcats (2003)

Udoka played with the Adirondack Wildcats in 2003.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[4]

Los Angeles Lakers (2004)

On January 14, 2004, Udoka signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.^[5]

Fort Worth Flyers (2005–2006)

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.^[6] Udoka averaged 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Flyers.^[7]

New York Knicks (2006)

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.^[8] 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,^[9] Udoka impressed the coaching staff with his defensive skills and made the team.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[8]

San Antonio Spurs (2007–2009)

In 2007, Udoka signed with the San Antonio Spurs.^[7][10] He played in 73 games, averaging 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 18 minutes per game.^[8]

In his second season with the Spurs, Udoka played in 67 games and started in three, averaging 4.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 15.4 minutes per game.^[8]

After the 2009 season, Udoka became a free agent and eventually re-signed with the Trail Blazers on September 25, 2009.^[11] However, he was waived on October 22.^[12][13]

Sacramento Kings (2009–2010)

On November 4, 2009, Udoka signed with the Sacramento Kings.^[14] He played in 69 games and started in two, averaging 3.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 13.7 minutes per game.^[8]

Return to San Antonio (2010–2011)

On November 24, 2010, Udoka re-signed with the Spurs.^[15] However, he was waived on January 5, 2011, after playing in 20 games and averaging only 0.7 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 6.5 minutes per game.^[16]

New Jersey Nets (2011)

On December 15, 2011, Udoka signed with the New Jersey Nets.^[17] However, he was waived on eight days later and did not appear in any games.^[18]

UCAM Murcia (2012)

On January 5, 2012, Udoka signed with UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB.^[19]

San Antonio Spurs (2012–2019)

On August 28, 2012, the San Antonio Spurs hired Udoka as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich.^[20] Udoka won his first NBA championship when the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat in five games during the 2014 NBA Finals.^[21] Udoka was also the key for LaMarcus Aldridge's decision to join the Spurs in 2015 as they were teammates on the Portland Trail Blazers during Aldridge's rookie season.^[22]

Philadelphia 76ers (2019–2020)

On June 26, 2019, Udoka was hired as an assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.^[23] His head coach on the 76ers at the time, Brett Brown, also coached under Gregg Popovich for the Spurs, and both Udoka and Brown were on the same staff in the 2012–13 season.^[24]

Brooklyn Nets (2020–2021)

On October 30, 2020, the Brooklyn Nets hired Udoka as an assistant coach.^[25]

Boston Celtics (2021–2023)

2021–22 season

On June 23, 2021, it was reported that the Boston Celtics had hired Udoka as their head coach, replacing Brad Stevens, who was promoted to President of Basketball Operations a few weeks prior.^[26][27][28] The hiring became official five days later.^[29][30][31] Udoka became the franchise's sixth African-American head coach, as well as the first head coach of African origin in NBA history.^[32] Stevens later stated that he hired Udoka as his own replacement as head coach since Udoka had "a great approachability".^[33]

Although the Celtics began the 2021–22 season with an 18–21 record, they began a turnaround in January and finished as the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51–31 record.^{[34][35][36][37][38]} During the turnaround, Udoka earned two Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards, one in February and another for March and April.^[39][40] During the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round before beating the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals.^[41][42] The Celtics went on to defeat the Miami Heat in seven games during the Eastern Conference Finals to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010.^[43][44] However, the Celtics lost the 2022 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors in six games despite a 2–1 lead.^[45][46][47]

Houston Rockets (2023–present)

2023–24 season

On April 24, 2023, it was reported that the Houston Rockets hired Udoka as their head coach.^[62] The hiring became official the next day.^[1]

Udoka was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in March 2024 after the Rockets won 13 of their 15 games that month.^[63][64] In his first season with the team, the Rockets finished with a 41–41 record and narrowly missed the playoffs.^[65][66]

Regular season

Playoffs