Rockets Officially Announce Ime Udoka As Head Coach
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets officially announced the hiring of coach Ime Udoka Tuesday evening. In his lone season as head coach of the Boston Celtics, Udoka led the franchise to the 2022 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Golden State Warriors.
The Celtics ranked first in the league in field goal defense and fewest points allowed during the 2021-22 season. He was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month twice and finished fourth in voting for Coach of the Year honors.
Udoka is joining the Rockets after off-court issues forced his premature exile from Boston.
“We are excited to welcome Ime to the Houston Rockets,” general manager Rafael Stone said. "Ime’s intelligence, drive and toughness were the traits we were looking for in a coach to lead our team through this next stage of our development as we strive to become a champion.
"We were honored to have the opportunity to speak to multiple outstanding candidates throughout the interview process and felt that Ime’s vision best aligned with the goals the Fertitta Family and myself have for the future of the Rockets."
Before becoming the coach of the Celtics, Udoka was an assistant on Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs coaching staff from 2012 to 2019. He also spent time as an assistant under Brett Brown’s Philadelphia 76ers staff (2019-20) and Steve Nash’s Brooklyn Nets staff (2020-21).
As a player, Udoka spent seven seasons in the NBA from 2003-2011. He appeared in 316 career games after going undrafted in 2000.
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