Boston Celtics coach, Ime Udoka, has apologised to the management, players and fans after he was suspended for the 2022/23 NBA season due to his ‘improper’ but consensual relationship with a female staff of the organisation which violates team policies.

The organisation on Friday suspended Udoka with immediate effect in a statement made available on their social media platforms while appointing assistant Joe Mazzulla to man the team for the entire season.

“The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violation of team policy. A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately,” the statement read.

The former D’Tigers star who took the franchise to the NBA Finals in his first season as head coach in the league has apologised for the incident while also accepting the organization’s punishment.

“I want to apologise to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organisation, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said in a statement. 

“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 assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020–21 season and Philadelphia 76ers during the 2019–20 season before being hired by the Celtics in June 2021 to replace Brad Stevens, who was promoted to an executive role. Udoka was fourth in the coach of the year poll in Year One, and the Celtics missed winning the title by just two victories.