Why Monty Williams is coaching Team USA to honor his late wife

When Monty Williams left the Thunder coaching staff following the sudden and tragic death of his wife, he still reportedly planned to continue as a Team USA assistant.

Devoting time to his five children made sense. But why was he so set on working the Rio Olympics?

It’s due to something his late wife, Ingrid Williams, once told him.

Williams, via Hannah Storm of ESPN:

When I was in Orlando playing – this was like 17 years ago – she told me, she said, “You’re going to be in the Olympics one day,” out of the blue, just unprompted. I looked at her, and I was like, “I’m a solid player, but I don’t think they’re going to have me on the Olympic team.” And she didn’t even respond. She just looked at me.

She was right. USA Basketball hired Williams as Mike Krzyzewski’s assistant coach in 2013, so these are Williams’ first Olympics. He even brought his five children to Rio to share the experience with him.

It’s a great moment for a family that has endured so much – and a tribute to Ingrid.

In the above video – well worth watching in full – Monty also explains how she served as a guiding light for his powerful eulogy and how energized he is by coaching again. He’ll reportedly work for the Spurs next season.