Ime Udoka, former NBA player and coach, has reportedly responded to Nia Long’s request for full custody of their 11-year-old son. Long, an actress, filed for full custody in August, following the couple’s split in December after 13 years of dating. The split came after allegations of infidelity by Udoka.
According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, Udoka opposes Long’s request for full custody and instead seeks joint “legal and physical” custody of their son. He also wants visitation rights with their child. Additionally, Udoka has opposed Long’s request for him to cover her attorneys’ fees.
Long had filed a petition with the Los Angeles Superior Court, requesting sole physical and legal custody of their son. She accused Udoka of failing to support their child in the filing. Long also requested that Udoka be granted “reasonable visitation” with their son, in line with the child’s best interest. She also asked for Udoka to cover the costs of her attorneys’ fees.
The former couple’s split garnered attention in September 2022 when it was revealed that Udoka had an “intimate relationship” with a female staff member of the Boston Celtics, where he was a coach. Long expressed her disappointment in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stating that the affair was heartbreaking for her and her son. She also criticized the Boston Celtics organization for making their situation public without showing concern for her or her children’s well-being.
Long has since stated that she will continue to focus on her children, including her adult son from a previous relationship. The custody battle between Long and Udoka continues, with each party seeking their desired custody arrangement for their 11-year-old son.
The drama surrounding their split and custody battle has attracted attention from media outlets, including The Shade Room, PEOPLE, and Radar Online. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public waits to see how the custody dispute will be resolved and how it will ultimately impact the lives of the former couple and their son.
