“Really trapped him” – Nia Long securing $32,500 a month child support from NBA coach Ime Udoka after cheating scandal draws mixed reactions from fans
Ava Arnold
Updated on March 31, 2026
Houston Rockets’ Ime Udoka and former partner Nia Long finally saw their custody battle being concluded with a conclusion that is bound to disappoint the head coach. Long, a successful actress herself, was able to secure $32,500 in monthly child support payments after Udoka was found guilty of infidelity.
The fact that the affair took place with a former Boston Celtics employee led to the coach’s termination from the franchise as well. The Houston Rockets coach is known to be making $465,804 every month, which led to the court settling on the figure despite the fact that Long herself earns a considerable sum owing to her acting work.
The decision was based on the fact that Udoka only shares 5% of his time with his 12-year-old son, while Long has maintained a 95% timeshare. That of course, has a lot to do with the busy schedule the Rockets and their head coach has had to deal with, through the 2023-24 NBA season.
Fans responded on Twitter with a range of reactions, with some claiming that Long had successfully managed to ‘trap’ Udoka. Others, however, thought that Udoka should simply move on and focus on his work.
Ime Udoka gets a range of advice from fans following custody battle with Nia Long
The head coach will be allowed reasonable visitation rights and will need to inform his former partner 10 days in advance before he wants to visit his son. The agreement also designates Udoka as the bearer of his son’s health and dental insurance.
That of course, is in addition to the monthly $32,500 payment, with fans claiming that the coach was simply caught in a difficult situation:
Engaged for 6 years?? 😂😂😂😂 he was never marrying her
— Sylvester Cream (@sylvester_cream) January 6, 2024
Leave women alone and be happy
— King Munhumutapa XXIV (@MoyoChihota) January 6, 2024
Bro, why does a 12year need $32k a month. No 12yr old needs 32k a month to survive and live. That’s how you know it’s never about the kid.
— ♠️🖤♠️ (@Mac_Roberts) January 6, 2024
Idc what kind of lifestyle you live no 12 year old needs 32k a month. You could go to the best school in the country and have the best childhood ever for much less than that.
— B Saiyan DTB4L (@BallinFit) January 6, 2024
Proportionately, that’s honestly less than ten percent of his monthly income. To most of us 9-5ers, 32k a month is a wet dream.
— ThatWhoreLior (@thatwhorelior) January 6, 2024
Comments show that y’all have no idea that Nia is paid too.
— DJ Pup Dawg🙏🏽😊🇵🇰🇺🇸 (@djpupdawg) January 6, 2024
Damn she ain’t getting much if the slice
— RubyRedKekeee 🦄 (@WillBarb44) January 6, 2024
We all know all of that money ain’t finna go to that kid
— ⚡️𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐉𝐝𝐮𝐛⚡️ (@PlayoffJdub) January 6, 2024
Of course, Udoka will be looking to quickly move on. The Houston Rockets, after an incredible start to the season, have lost their way and are currently 9th in the Western Conference. They will be hoping for a change in fortunes after Udoka finally sees the conclusion to his custody battle. It will be fair to say that the Rockets coach ended up losing it.
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