Elijah Williams is one of the top high school basketball players in the country. He recently committed to play college basketball at Baylor University. Williams is a composite No. 36 overall prospect, a four-star recruit, ranked as the 17th-best small forward, and the fifth-best player in Texas in the Class of 2026 rankings.
Many people know him for his skills on the court, but his story begins at home, with a strong basketball background.
Who is Elijah Williams’ Father?
Elijah is the son of Monty Williams, a former NBA player and head coach. Monty played nine seasons in the NBA for several teams, including the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. After his playing days, he became a coach. He spent over 17 years coaching in the NBA.
NEWS: 2026 Top-40 recruit Elijah Williams has committed to Baylor, he told @On3Recruits.
The 6-6 small forward is the son of Monty Williams, the 2022 NBA Coach of the Year.
Elijah is one of the leading scorers on the EYBL Circuit, currently averaging nearly 20 PPG.… pic.twitter.com/8v9P3rCiFz
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 27, 2025
Monty Williams was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2022. He served as head coach for the Phoenix Suns from 2019 to 2023 and the Detroit Pistons from 2023 to 2024. He is no longer coaching in the NBA, but he’s still close to the game. He is now the head coach of his son Elijah’s high school team, TMI Episcopal, a role he’s held since 2024.
Many basketball fans remember Monty from his time with the Phoenix Suns. He coached there for four seasons and helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in the 2020–21 season. His work earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award for the 2021–22 season.
Despite that success, Monty’s time in Phoenix ended in 2023. The team’s new owner, Mat Ishbia, decided to make changes after another early exit from the playoffs. Monty didn’t stay out of coaching for long. He signed a major six-year contract to become the head coach of the Detroit Pistons.
However, things didn’t go as planned. The team struggled, finishing the season with a 14–68 record. After just one year, the Pistons let him go.
Elijah Williams’ Mother and Siblings
Elijah’s mother, Ingrid Williams, passed away from injuries suffered in an automobile accident in February 2016. According to Oklahoma City police, Ingrid Williams’ vehicle was hit head-on by a vehicle that lost control and crossed lanes. She was 44.
The driver of the vehicle that crossed lanes also died as a result of the wreck. According to the police report, the driver’s dog, which was riding in her lap at the time of impact, was also killed.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
Elijah’s strong family ties, including his four siblings—Janna, Micah, Lael, and Faith—continue to shape and support his basketball journey.
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