The Boston Celtics are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, and they wouldn’t be here without the contributions of first-year head coach Ime Udoka.
After reaching the doorstep several years under the leadership of Brad Stevens, the Celtics kicked down the door largely thanks to defensive focus Udoka brought to the roster.
He also brought something else Stevens didn’t, and that’s experience as a player in the NBA. During that time, he was around around some the game’s greatest players and coaches.
Let’s look back at Udoka’s playing career before the Finals tip off on Thursday night: