Ime Udoka, the current Houston Rockets Head coach, has agreed to a custody and support settlement that requires him to cover travel costs for his son, Kez, and to pay for the Child’s nanny when Kez travels with him.
According to the court documents finalized in January 2024, the Coach ” is responsible for paying for any travel for Kez to visit him while on the road, as well as Kez’s nanny, who will help transport him.”
The agreement also settles monthly support and other custody specifics. Nia Long is also receiving around $32000 montly in Child support and will have sole physical custody when Udoka retains joint legal custody and reasonable visitation.
Under the revised terms, after Long asserted Udoka had “failed to support” their child (financially), Kez will reside with Long 95% of the time, whereas Udoka is granted rights for just 5% of the time, due to his tight NBA Schedule.
Nia Provides Insights on a cooperative approach
The deal also outlines holiday and vacation schedules, as well as other practical details aimed at minimizing disruptions to Kez’s schooling and stability.
Kez was born on November 7, 2011, just over a year into Udoka and Nia’s dating, which later led to their engagement in 2015. However, they split in 2022, after Udoka’s infidelity news surfaced.
Since then, both parents have followed a cooperative co-parenting approach. Long reflected on the relationship in an interview with The Cut,
“We’ve had a very public journey that has found its way to peace and understanding. And there’s a lot of mutual respect that we have for each other. The most important gift you can give your kids is to heal your trauma.”
She also described recent moments with her former partner and their children positively, “This summer, I traveled with my youngest son and my ex, Ime. We had a great time.”
“I’m not going to carry burdensome energy with me because that just transfers to my children, and it transfers to everything else in my life. I’m proud of myself. I think we’re proud of each other as the parents of Kez,” she added how both of them are working together to protect their children.
The actor also concluded with mutual respect. She said, “We’re both going to be standing there watching him graduate… We’re able to make this an annual thing and commit to these last sweet years of him being in grade school and high school before he goes off to college.”
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Ime Udka, the defensive-minded forward, played for five different teams in his seven-season career: Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs.
- As an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, he won the NBA Championship in 2014. As a head coach, he guided the Boston Celtics to the finals in 2022, but they came short against GSW.
- Ime’s ex-partner, Nia Long, is a well-known actor and producer, who has been featured in notable movies and series including “Boys n the Hood,” “Love Jones,” “Fatal Affair,” and a few more.
