░B░R░E░A░K░I░N░G ░B░R░E░A░ 🅱🆁🅴🅰🅺 SAD NEWS: Jordan Ott Pays Emotional Tribute to Former Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams’ Second Wife Lisa Keeth…

In a heartfelt moment that has resonated across the NBA community, Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott took time during a recent team practice to honor Lisa Keeth, the second wife of former Suns head coach Monty Williams. Keeth, a former volleyball star and steadfast supporter of the basketball world, has been a pillar of strength for Williams amid personal and professional challenges. Ott’s tribute, delivered with raw emotion, underscores the deep bonds forged in the high-stakes arena of professional sports and the enduring legacy of resilience.

### A Bond Beyond the Bench

Jordan Ott, who assumed the helm of the Suns on June 6, 2025, after a distinguished career as an assistant coach with teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, shared a close working relationship with Monty Williams during his tenure in Phoenix from 2019 to 2023. Under Williams’ guidance, the Suns achieved remarkable success, including a franchise-record 64 wins in the 2021-22 season and a trip to the NBA Finals—the team’s first since 1993. Ott, then an assistant, was instrumental in player development and defensive schemes that propelled stars like Devin Booker and Chris Paul to new heights.

“Monty wasn’t just a coach; he was a mentor, a father figure to so many of us in that locker room,” Ott said, his voice steady but eyes glistening. “And Lisa? She was the quiet force that kept him grounded. Through the wins, the losses, the playoffs—she was there, every step. To see her fight, to see their family endure… it reminds us why we do this. Not just for the game, but for the people.”

Ott’s words were particularly poignant as he reflected on Keeth’s own battles. Diagnosed with breast cancer during the Suns’ intense 2023 playoff run, Keeth underwent rigorous treatment while Williams navigated the pressures of coaching a contending team. Williams publicly revealed the diagnosis only after being named head coach of the Detroit Pistons in June 2023, using the platform to advocate for early detection. “We had genetic testing done and then scan after scan after scan, and we found it early,” Williams shared at the time. “That might’ve saved my wife’s life—and it can save others.” The Pistons, in a show of compassion, even included healthcare benefits and private jet access in Williams’ contract to support Keeth’s ongoing care.

### Lisa Keeth: From Volleyball Court to Sidelines

Born Lisa Michelle Cliver on May 18, 1980, in Oakland, California, Keeth was a standout volleyball player at Angelo State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing in 2002. Honored as the Holland Sportswoman of the Year in her senior season, she transitioned seamlessly into sports management, joining Spurs Sports & Entertainment in 2010 and returning for a second stint in 2016. It was there, amid the vibrant energy of San Antonio’s sports scene, that she first crossed paths with Williams, who served as vice president of basketball operations for the Spurs from 2015 to 2019.

The couple’s romance blossomed quietly, leading to a private wedding ceremony in August 2017—just a year after the tragic loss of Williams’ first wife, Ingrid, in a devastating car accident in Oklahoma City. Ingrid’s passing left Williams and their five children—Elijah, Micah, Faith, Lael, and Janna—in profound grief, with three of the children also injured in the crash. Keeth stepped into their lives with grace, becoming a devoted stepmother and a source of healing for the family. “She didn’t just marry Monty; she embraced all of us,” one of Williams’ children reportedly said in a family statement following the wedding.

Keeth’s influence extended beyond the Williams household. As a media personality and executive, she championed women’s roles in sports, often mentoring young athletes and advocating for health awareness. Her battle with cancer, detected early thanks to proactive screening, has become a rallying cry for breast cancer awareness in the NBA. Organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation have highlighted her story, crediting her courage for inspiring countless women to prioritize check-ups.

### A Tribute That Echoes Through the League

Ott’s tribute came unexpectedly during a Suns media session on November 20, 2025, as the team prepared for a Western Conference matchup. Flanked by players like Booker and Kevin Durant, Ott paused mid-discussion on game strategy to pivot to something deeply personal. “I want to take a moment for Lisa Keeth,” he began. “Monty taught me about leadership on the court, but Lisa showed us what it looks like off it. Her strength, her faith—it’s what got Monty through his darkest days, and it’s what we’ll carry into every game this season.”

The gesture quickly went viral, drawing responses from across the league. Williams, now coaching high school basketball at TMI Episcopal in San Antonio after a tumultuous one-year stint with the Pistons (marked by a record 14-68 finish and a league-worst 28-game losing streak), issued a statement via social media: “Jordan’s words mean the world to us. Lisa is fighting every day, and moments like this remind us we’re not alone. Grateful for the Suns family—past and present.” Current Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff echoed the sentiment, calling Keeth “a warrior whose story unites us all.”

Fans and analysts alike praised Ott for humanizing the often cutthroat world of NBA coaching. “In an era of tanking and trades, this is what sports should be about—honoring the heart behind the hustle,” tweeted ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

### Looking Ahead: Legacy in Motion

As the Suns push for another deep playoff run under Ott’s steady hand, the tribute serves as a reminder of the personal stories woven into the fabric of professional basketball. Keeth’s journey—from volleyball phenom to cancer survivor—mirrors the grit required to thrive in the league. With Williams occasionally spotted at Suns games as a guest, the connection between past and present remains strong.

For Ott, the homage is more than nostalgia; it’s motivation. “We play for Monty. We play for Lisa. We play for every family touched by this game.” In Phoenix, where the desert sun rises on new beginnings, that spirit shines brightest.

*Shocken News is committed to uplifting stories of resilience and community in sports. For updates on Lisa Keeth’s advocacy work, visit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.*