THE NBA has been rocked by accusations Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an affair with a female staffer.
Oregon-born Udoka, 45, is engaged to actress Nia Long, 51, after the pair first met more than twelve years ago.
But now his relationship and career are in jeopardy over his alleged affair, first reported by The Athletic.
Udoka, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last year, looks set to be suspended over his consensual relationship with the staffer.
And on Wednesday – one day before the allegations became public – Long shared a cryptic post talking about finding light "after darkness".
Long is perhaps best known for her role as Lisa Wilks on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
She swapped the small screen for Hollywood in the early 1990s and went on to star in Soul Food, The Best Man and Big Momma's House among others.
While the Brooklyn-born access has won three National Association for the Advancement of Colored People awards during her glittering career.
The couple went public with their relationship in 2010, welcoming son Kez Sunday in November the following year.
Long had visited the doctors for a yellow fever shot ahead of a planned trip to Ghana – but instead got a shock after it emerged she was expecting.
She revealed: "I almost fainted. It was the best moment and the sweetest surprise ever."
It wasn't until 2015 that Udoka popped the question, with Long – then 43 – spotted out and about with a huge diamond ring.
Despite getting engaged seven years ago, the pair have been happy to shelve any potential wedding plans.
And Long opened up to Essence in 2020 about possible nuptials – with marriage not seemingly a priority.
She said: "Love is complicated, let’s just start there.
"And then you start a marriage, which I’ve never been married.
"And there’s a reason for that because I don’t know that I need to say ‘I do’ to prove to you that I love you.
"But also, what does marriage really [mean]… that you own me now and I own you? I don’t get that part.
“I understand the religious aspect of marriage. That is beautiful and it’s fantastical and it’s dreamy and it’s every girl’s fantasy to have that moment.
"But I don’t know that I need that to feel like I’m in a partnership that’s working"
Udoka also helped raise Nia's son Massai, who was born in 2000 from a previous relationship.
According to reports, the couple are not currently together.
Long shared a cryptic video on September 21, the evening before allegations involving Udoka were released.
Reposted from healing and wellness-based account Omology, the video shares a message that focuses on finding light after "darkness".
The video said: "When you see people change their whole life and start walking down a path of enlightenment, hugging trees, connecting with nature, loving themselves, embracing positivity, letting that light shine, understand one thing: that light that you see, understand one thing about that light – they had to go into the darkness to get it.
"No shadow, no light, know shadow, know light."
Udoka is a talented forward who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last year where they were beaten in six by Golden State Warriors.
During his playing days, he carved out a career in the NBA, Europe and South America despite going undrafted in the 2000 Draft.
Udoka turned to coaching after retiring in 2012, working as an assistant for the Spurs, before moving on to the 76ers and Nets.
He landed the plum role of head coach at the Celtics in 2021, inspiring his young team to the cusp of the championship last season.
Udoka could now be facing suspension as sources claim his consensual relationship with the staffer is considered a violation of the organization's guidelines.
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