Nia Lengthy on Son Kez, Boston Celtics’ Response to Ime Udoka Affair

After Ime Udoka was suspended from the Boston Celtics after infidelity allegations with a coworker, fiancée Nia Lengthy has opened up about coping with the scandal.

“I believe essentially the most heartbreaking factor about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics group determined to make a really non-public scenario public,” the Greatest Man actress, 52, advised The Hollywood Reporter in an interview printed on Thursday, December 1. “It was devastating, and it nonetheless is. He nonetheless has moments the place it’s not simple for him. When you’re within the enterprise of defending girls — I’m sorry, nobody from the Celtics group has even referred to as to see if I’m OK, to see if my kids are OK. It’s very disappointing.”

Information broke earlier this yr that the 45-year-old basketball coach — who shares 11-year-old son Kez with Lengthy — allegedly had an affair with a fellow staffer. Whereas Udoka has apologized for his actions, the Celtics issued him a year-long suspension from the group.

“The Boston Celtics introduced right this moment that the workforce has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violations of workforce insurance policies,” the workforce introduced in a September 22 press launch “A call about his future with the Celtics past this season can be made at a later date. The suspension takes impact instantly.”

Shortly after the NBA workforce’s determination made headlines, the Love Jones star pulled Kez out of his elementary college for the day.

“I actually felt like my coronary heart had jumped out of my physique,” Lengthy recalled to THR in Thursday’s profile. “After which what I discovered was this tribe of men and women who had been standing up for me in a manner that felt like I used to be on this bubble of safety, and that was very comforting.”

She continued: “I’ve to commit myself to [my friends and my career] as a result of I believe typically when a lot is going on, it takes your breath away after which it’s such as you’re holding your breath, and you’re feeling this angst and this panic of regularly being in fight-or-flight survival mode. I believe moms, Black girls, we perceive that greater than anybody.”

Lengthy — who has been linked to the previous athlete since 2010 — beforehand issued a press release in regards to the scandal.

“The outpouring love and help from household, pals and the group throughout this troublesome time means a lot to me,” the Single Mother’s Membership actress — who additionally shares son Massai, 21, with ex Massai Z. Dorsey — advised Us in September. “I ask that my privateness be revered as I course of the latest occasions. Above all, I’m a mom and can proceed to give attention to my kids.”

Udoka, for his half, issued his personal assertion, apologizing to his workforce, the Celtics and his household for his actions. “I’m sorry for placing the workforce on this troublesome scenario, and I settle for the workforce’s determination,” the Oregon native stated in assertion on the time. “Out of respect for everybody concerned, I’ll don’t have any additional remark.”