Nia Long Seeks Full Custody of 11-Year-Old Son Amidst Ex-Fiancé, Ime Udoka’s Scandal
Actress Nia Long has embarked on a legal quest for full custody of her 11-year-old son with former fiancé Ime Udoka, following the revelation of the coach’s affair with a co-worker almost a year ago. Court documents obtained by The Times shed light on Long’s pursuit of sole custody, citing Udoka’s alleged failure to provide adequate support for their child. Long has also petitioned for Udoka to cover attorney and legal fees related to the custody proceedings. The legal filings were submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court on August 14.
Representing Long in the case are attorneys Samantha Spector and Lisa Helfend Meyer. Spector, who previously handled cases involving Kanye West during his divorce from Kim Kardashian, and Meyer, who represented Nicole Young in her $100 million divorce settlement with Dr. Dre, have been enlisted to navigate Long’s custody dispute. At the time of reporting, Spector and Meyer had not responded to The Times’ inquiries for comment.
The relationship between Long and Udoka unravelled after the former NBA player and coach was caught in an affair with a co-worker. This “improper relationship” came to light in September 2022, following an extensive investigation by the Boston Celtics, a team for which Udoka was serving as head coach at the time.
Long and Udoka’s romantic journey had spanned almost 13 years before their separation. The couple initially commenced dating in 2010 and subsequently became engaged in 2015. Their son, Kez Sunday Long Udoka, was born in 2011.
Udoka faced repercussions for his actions, being suspended for the entirety of a season and later dismissed from his position by the Boston Celtics in February of the same year. However, he rebounded in a professional capacity by securing a four-year, $28.5 million deal to become the head coach of the Houston Rockets, as reported by Chron.com.
In the midst of the scandal, Long expressed her emotional turmoil to the Hollywood Reporter. She revealed the heartbreak of witnessing her son’s reaction to the public disclosure of a deeply personal situation. Long’s disappointment extended to the Boston Celtics organization, which she claimed failed to offer support or inquiries about her well-being or that of her children.
Udoka, on his part, underwent sensitivity training and counselling to address the repercussions of his actions, acknowledging his role in the distress caused to his son and family. During his introduction as the new head coach of the Houston Rockets, Udoka highlighted the accountability and responsibility he had come to recognize in the aftermath of the controversy.
Since parting ways with Udoka, Nia Long has prioritized her role as a mother to her children, including her 11-year-old son, Kez, and her 22-year-old son, Massai Zhivago Dorsey II, from a previous relationship with fellow actor Massai Z. Dorsey. Amidst the personal challenges, Long has maintained her focus on her family’s well-being and has worked towards healing and reconciliation.
