The news of the death of the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, his wife, is shocking.
CITY OF OKLAHOMA (AP) — Due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident, the wife of Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams passed away at a hospital on Wednesday night, according to authorities.
Tuesday night, Ingrid Williams, 44, was a victim of an accident. Just outside of Oklahoma City’s downtown, an incoming vehicle crossed the center line and struck her SUV, according to police captain Paco Valderrama. According to Valderrrama, the driver was confirmed deceased at the spot.
In a statement, the Thunder said they were in “deep sorrow” and that they would help Williams “in every way possible.” After five seasons as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, Williams joins the Thunder this season.
Ingrid Williams will be remembered “as one of the most generous, kind and humble individuals we’ve ever known,” according to a statement from the Pelicans’ owners.
The Pelicans honored her with a minute of silence prior to Wednesday night’s tip-off against the Utah Jazz. In 2010, New Orleans hired Monty Williams for his first and only head coaching position; he was let go following the previous campaign. He has a 173-221 record and twice assisted in leading New Orleans to the postseason.
Following his team’s victory over the Detroit Pistons, Denver coach Michael Malone broke down in tears as he discussed Williams’ passing.
“I expressed regret to the team. I was a really upset coach in the first half,” he remarked. “I don’t know if you guys heard, Monty Williams, a good friend of mine, his wife was killed in an accident.”
He paused for a long time before continuing, “So I apologized to them because it’s taking my anger out on them, and they don’t deserve that.”
Williams coached Anthony Davis, a top player for the Pelicans, for three seasons.
He tweeted, saying, “Totally saddened. When I moved to New Orleans, Ingrid Williams treated me like a second mother. My sympathies and thoughts are with Monty and his family.
It wasn’t immediately apparent why the approaching car swerved. There is a current investigation.
The 24th choice in the 1994 NBA Draft was Monty Williams. He spent nine seasons as a player for Philadelphia, Denver, San Antonio, New York, and Orlando.
