Nia Long with her fiancé Im Odoka in 2017. He was suspended as head coach of the Boston Celtics due to an inappropriate relationship with an employee, despite his association with Long
Actress Nia Long broke her silence today after learning that her Boston Celtics fiancé, Im Odoka, cheated on her with one of his employees.
said the star TMZ In a statement she said she was ‘shocked’ by the affair, which comes when she moves to Boston to be with her longtime lover.
Long, 51, and Odoka, a former NBA player turned coach, have been together for more than a decade.
They got engaged in 2015 but never married, though they share a ten-year-old son. She also has another son from a previous relationship.
This week, their family’s blessing was destroyed when the Boston Celtics suspended Odoka for violating the code of ethics by having a consensual affair with the unnamed employee.
He believes that this is the time he discovered infidelity.
“The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means a lot to me,” Long said through her spokeswoman.
I ask that my privacy be respected while processing recent events.
“Above all else, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children,” she said.
Odoka, the Celtics’ reputable second-year coach, was suspended for the entire next season on Thursday for unspecified “multiple” violations of team rules.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization and my family for letting them down,” he said in a statement Thursday evening.
I’m 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.”
Long time with the couple’s ten year old son recently
Long, 51, and Odoka, 45, have been together for more than a decade. They were shown together at the Barclays Center in New York last August
Doubt: Nia’s fans and friends tweeted their anger and disbelief on Friday
Odoka is said to have suffered a “significant fine”, although the amount has not been disclosed.
The 45-year-old is said to have had an inappropriate relationship with a female employee.
That woman was not named.
In a statement from the team that appointed assistant Joe Mazzola as interim coach, the Boston team said Odoka’s future would be decided “at a later time.”
He became a household name for a long time with her role on Fresh Prince of Bel Air as Lisa Wilkes, Will Smith’s girlfriend.
She has also starred in Boyz In The Hood, Soul Food, and Big Momma’s House.
The beloved actress is also the recipient of three NAACP Image Awards and a Black Reel Award.
As news of the affair spread across social media this week, Long’s fans and famous friends jumped to her defense.
Many scolded Udoka for his indiscretion, wondering how he could have betrayed the actress – a world-famous star and one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation.
‘Send anything but love to Nia Long.’
We do not allow a man who did not realize the luxury that was her presence, to dim her beauty and glory.
“It is actually, we need a Nia Long national holiday!” New York Congressman Jamal Bowman tweeted.
Film producer Van Lathan added, “Nia Long has a 100% approval rating with Black America and Ime Udoka is about to understand that.”
Cheating on Nia Long? Producer Nina Parker added, “The end of days must come upon us because we will never get it.”
American Sweetheart: She has long been best known for roles as Lisa Wilkes in Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Brandi in Boyz In The Hood. She is well known for avoiding scandal, and has only appeared in the press for her acting roles or activism
Odoka joined the Celtics as head coach in the 2021-2022 season. He previously played for the team.
While he was settling down, Nia and their ten-year-old son stayed in New York City, where they live in Brooklyn.
However, sources say she was planning to move to Chicago to support her fiancé, and was looking for a home this week.
She became a national treasure in the ’90s through her roles in films and television shows that celebrated black culture and was featured predominantly by black actors.
Long is also known for keeping her clean of scandal — fans noticed on Friday how she’s only appeared in the press for her acting roles or her activist reasons.
Odoka was an NBA player until his retirement in 2012. He joined the Celtics as head coach last year
