Nia Long Criticizes Celtics Over Ime Udoka Scandal, Says Team ‘Made a Choice to Make My Family Business Public’

Nia Long has criticized the Boston Celtics over the franchise’s decision to publicly reveal her ex-fiancé Ime Udoka’s affair with a team employee.

In a cover story for the Cut, Long offered an update on how she’s doing and said that her focus right now is on her son. “I’m sure I have some things that I’m suppressing, but I have to do that to take care of him first,” she said of her child with Udoka. She then turned her attention to the Celtics’ role in making the extramarital relationship public knowledge.

“The Celtics made a choice to make my family business public, and I don’t understand why,” she told writer Clover Hope. “It could’ve all been handled internally. I do understand why, but I can’t talk about it. Maybe one day I will. You know, fear drives stupidity, and I’ll leave that right there. I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I ever thought I was.”

Udoka’s reported affair with a coworker was made public in September, and he and Long officially ended their 13-year partnership in December. The Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022-23 NBA season following the discovery of the consensual, improper relationship.

Elsewhere in the interview, Nia gave her thoughts on how multiple people have publicly been shooting their shots at her since the split. “Oh God, I’m not ready for a serious relationship,” she said. “My mind is not even there at all. I want to go out and have amazing, important, deep, thoughtful conversations. I want to travel. I want to laugh. I want to cook with my kids and listen to music. I want a good glass of wine. I want a good goodnight kiss. Everything else will have to show itself as being that. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment.”

Among the people rumored to have shot their shot are Cam’ron, Democratic lawmaker Jamaal Bowman, and Omarion, whom Long was rumored to be involved with after they appeared at the premiere of You People together.

In an appearance on the Drew Barrymore Show last month, Long said she has her “eye on one person,” but refused to say who.