Before the Celtics hired Joe Mazzulla in 2019, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens personally vetted his background.
Stephens addressed questions about Mazzulla’s background at a press conference Friday, including why the Celtics felt comfortable having him replace Ime Udoka, who was suspended for the entirety of the 2022-23 season for “violations” of team policies.
Mazzulla, 34, was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery in 2009 for allegedly grabbing a woman by the neck at a bar while he was in college.