CNN
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The appreciate for Nia Prolonged is flowing sturdy on social media as her longtime lover, Boston Celtics head mentor, Ime Udoka, finds himself embroiled in controversy.
Very long and Udoka share a 10-yr-outdated son and have been engaged given that 2015.
Therefore, many of Long’s supporters expressed upset immediately after reviews surfaced that the previous qualified basketball participant was dealing with suspension for possessing an alleged consensual romantic relationship with a member of the Celtics staff members.
“Cheating on Nia Prolonged? Finish of times has to be upon us. For the reason that ain’t NO WAY,” tweeted Nina Parker, an Emmy-nominated Television set host and designer.
On Friday Very long responded to the outpouring with a assertion supplied to CNN by her rep.
“The outpouring enjoy and support from family members, close friends and the local community for the duration of this difficult time suggests so much to me,” she explained in the assertion. “I talk to that my privacy be revered as I process the new events. Earlier mentioned all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my little ones.”
She is beloved, in particular by the Black group, as she has starred in these common movies as “Love Jones” and “Boyz N The Hood.”
The Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022 to 2023 on Thursday.
“I want to apologize to our players, supporters, the total Celtics group, and my family members for permitting them down,” Udoka claimed in a statement to ESPN. “I am sorry for placing the group in this difficult predicament, and I take the team’s determination. Out of regard for every person included, I will have no more comment.”
Extended has not spoken publicly about the matter, but on Wednesday she shared a repost of a overall health and wellness movie on Instagram that referenced getting gentle in the darkness and embracing positivity.
Last calendar year, she spoke to Popculture.com about Udoka nabbing the head coaching occupation just after getting an assistant for nine a long time.
“He’s one particular of the most disciplined people I know. He’s worked really tricky for this and now he’s obtained to just get to get the job done with his gamers and do what he does ideal,” she reported at the time. “So, it’s an enjoyable time for our relatives to be in a position to sit in the stands.”