Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka father, Vitalis Udoka, is of Nigerian origin. He was born in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria.

Vitalis moved from Nigeria to Oregon to pursue his education at Portland State University and live the American dream, despite encountering bigotry and discrimination.

He met Ime’s mother, Agnes, along the way. They fell in love, married, and settled in Portland, Oregon, where they had three kids, Ime, James, and his sister Mfon Udoka. Ime Udoka was born Ime Sunday Udoka on August 9, 1977. 

The 45-year-old former NBA star has a mixed ethnicity of Afro-American heritage. Additionally, he has dual citizenship in both Nigeria and the United States of America. There’s no connection between his birth date and his middle name Sunday. In fact, he was not born on Sunday. His birthdate lies on Tuesday.

Ime’s father worked various jobs as a worker throughout his life, and he was even dismissed on many occasions for trying to advocate for himself in the workplace. Meanwhile, his mother Agnes was from Illinois.

Udoka was devoted to his mother when he was a toddler when he would accompany Agnes wherever she went. Later, when he had his first steady income as a professional athlete, he surprised Agnes by buying her home with the money he earned.

Unfortunately, his father, Vitalis, and mother, Agnes, have long perished, leaving him without either of his parents. His father passed away in 2006, and his beloved mother took her last breath in late 2011.