Following his dismissal from the Phoenix Suns after their playoff exit, Monty Williams' focus shifted dramatically from basketball to a deeply personal matter. While initially engaging with teams about potential coaching opportunities, his family received the distressing news of his wife Lisa's breast cancer diagnosis.
Now, introduced as the Detroit Pistons' new head coach, Williams is using his platform to raise awareness about early detection. "Sharing this isn't about my family's story alone," Williams explained. "It's about emphasizing the critical need for women to undergo early detection testing. Genetic testing and numerous scans ultimately revealed Lisa's diagnosis early on, a factor that may have been life-saving, and one that holds the same potential for countless others."
Williams had previously been in discussions with Pistons General Manager Troy Weaver, but withdrew his name from consideration after his wife's diagnosis. "Navigating such a challenging time, I communicated to Troy that my family needed my full attention," he shared.
Having tragically lost his first wife, Ingrid, in a 2016 car accident, Williams was prepared to take a season away from coaching to support his family. This included assisting his son, Elijah, a highly sought-after basketball recruit, with the pressures of college recruitment. "Just as we received the positive news about Lisa's prognosis, I was at one of Elijah's tryouts when Troy unexpectedly reached out," Williams recounted. "I had assumed all coaching prospects were off the table, but things progressed rapidly from that point."
A meeting with Pistons owner Tom Gores solidified Williams' decision. Gores emphasized the importance of finding the right coach for the players, stating, "We had intensive discussions with Troy about our responsibility to these young men. They've placed their trust in us, even organizing their own practices during this period. It was crucial to provide them with the leadership they deserve."
Williams' coaching journey includes a five-year stint with the New Orleans Pelicans (2010-2015), followed by a more successful period with the Phoenix Suns. He guided the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 and earned Coach of the Year honors in 2022.
Now, Williams embarks on a new chapter with the Detroit Pistons, a team boasting promising young talent in Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren. Despite their league-worst record last season, Williams sees potential. "The talent and size are evident," he noted, "but I'm truly impressed by the character of these individuals. Their direct eye contact, responsiveness, and evident hunger to improve are truly encouraging."
