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Former Sixers Assistant Gets Celtics Job
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Ime Udoka, come on down. You’re the next head coach of the Boston Celtics:
The Boston Celtics are finalizing an agreement to hire Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka as the franchise's new coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2021
Udoka was a Sixers assistant in 2020, under Brett Brown. He coached under Gregg Popovich for many years in San Antonio, and so he really comes off the Pop tree.
He was the defensive specialist for the Sixers last season, and when Brown was fired joined up with Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni in Brooklyn. Woj says Udoka “separated himself quickly in Brad Stevens’ search process, including significant support from Celtics players who were impressed with Udoka after working under him with Team USA in the World’s.”
So there’s some hit or miss for former Brett assistants. Monty Williams is back in the head coaching ranks and has the Suns likely going to the Finals. Kevin Young is also out in Phoenix. Udoka gets his first head coaching gig while Lloyd Pierce didn’t survive in Atlanta.
The remaining NBA head coach openings are the Mavs, Pelicans, Pacers, Magic, Wizards, and Blazers.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com