National Basketball Association

Assistant coach Monty Williams says his late wife predicted he would join Team USA

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:12 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Andrew Lynch

Despite suffering unspeakable tragedy in February, former Pelicans head coach and Thunder assistant Monty Williams has remained a beacon of hope.

When his wife Ingrid was killed in a car accident — by a driver under the influence of methamphetamine, who was driving way too fast and crossed the center line, colliding with Ingrid's car head-on — Williams gracefully delivered a eulogy in which he asked those in attendance to pray for the family of the woman who killed his wife.

That kind of strength has enabled Williams to return to coaching after leaving the Thunder in the aftermath of Ingrid's passing, as a member of the Team USA Olympic coaching staff.  Williams has previously said that his involvement with the Olympic team brings him a sense of peace. And on Thursday, ESPN released an interview with Williams in which he says that Ingrid predicted his spot with USA Basketball nearly two decades ago:

Williams also explained that all five of his children are with him in Rio, and that they know that story and are honored by Williams' decision to coach — which in turn honors their late mother.

Although Williams won't be a head coach next season, he is expected to take a job with the San Antonio Spurs.

Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams talk on the bench before the Team USA Basketball Showcase on August 13, 2015 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

share

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Basketball Association