The NBA world is witnessing celebrities takeover the center stage with their personal lives. An update on the recent legal settlement between Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and actress Nia Long has shed light on the complexities of fame, finance, and family.
The couple, whose relationship ended amidst allegations of adultery in 2022, recently finalized a custody agreement for their 12-year-old son, Kez. While the settlement addresses issues of child support and custody, it also discloses the finer details of their financial negotiations and their challenges as parents in the eyes of the public.
How much does Ime Udoka have to pay his ex-wife in child support?
The legal resolution that was inked in court earlier this week reveals that Ime Udoka has agreed to pay Nia Long a monthly child support amount of $32,500. While the court documents suggest a potential due of up to $56,000, the agreed-upon figure reflects a middle ground between both parties.
With Udoka’s position as the head coach of the Houston Rockets, proudly boasting a monthly expendable income of over $400,000, financial considerations for the man also played a crucial role in determining the child support amount for his biological son, Kez.
Nia Long, who is a prominent actress with a successful career, soughed primary custody of their son Kez, bringing to light Udoka’s alleged lack of support for their child. The legal battle that took place for over several months has finally arrived in the recent resolution.
While Nia Long will have the sole physical custody of Kez, the custody agreement seems to understand the challenges that is posed by Udoka’s extensive travel commitments as an NBA coach. And so under the terms of their agreement, Kez will have to spend 95% of his time with his mother, with Udoka getting to enjoy only a few reasonable visitation rights, considering the demands of his coaching career for the Rockets.
The settlement not only involves financial responsibilities but also have it’s fingers in the decision-making authority regarding Kez’s overall welfare. Udoka will only maintain the child’s health and dental insurance, while both the parents will collaboratively decide on matters of his education and health.
And in extreme cases of disagreement, Long holds the ultimate authority by providing a framework for cooperative co-parenting while recognizing the challenges of managing a child’s well-being across two households.
Exploring Nia Long and Ime Udoka’s relationship timeline
Nia Long is an iconic American actress who had breakout role in the 1991 film “Boyz n the Hood” catapulted her into stardom at the young age of 17. She has not only graced the silver screen with her talent but has also shared a significant part of her life with a former NBA player who is now the NBA head coach for the Houston Rockets, Ime Udoka.
Udoka is also a former Boston Celtics’ head coach, who entered Long’s life in a twist of fate in 2010. They crossed path in Boston through a mutual friend who successfully intertwined their lives in a love story that would captivate fans for years to come.
Following the birth of their son, Kez Sunday Udoka, in 2011 and an engagement in 2015, the couple embodied their commitment through various life chapters, including Udoka’s coaching duties in different cities.
This blissful journey, however, took an unexpected turn in the month of September 2022, when Udoka faced a suspension from the Boston Celtics due to alleged violations of team policies by involving himself in an intimate relationship with a staff member of the team.
This private matter unfortunately turned public, thrusting Udoka’s now-ex-wife, Nia, into a spotlight she never wanted. Nevertheless, Nia displayed strength in the midst of adversity, emphasizing her role as a loving mother and focusing on her children, especially her youngest son, Kez.
Despite being ceremonially engaged since 2015, Long has always been vocal about not rushing into marriage. However, their unique love story that was sparked in Boston in 2010, came to life with the birth of their son and moments of enduring support from both ends. Later, the couple faced challenges with Udoka’s suspension in 2022 that marked a big turning point.
In December 2022, a representative for Long and Ime Udoka confirmed their split, stating that they are “no longer together but remain fully committed to co-parenting their son, Kez”.
