The city of Phoenix has a new first family: Say hello to the Williamses.
Alan Williams grew up in the Valley, stared on the prep scene at North High School and now of course plays for the Suns. Jeri Williams – his mother who has served 22 years on the Phoenix police force – made history on Wednesday by being named the city’s first female police chief.
“We’ve talked about, ‘What if we both end up back in Phoenix?’” Alan told Suns.com. “Now we’ve both taken the steps to make our dreams come true. I’m still grinding and working to get where she is, but the sky is the limit for us both.
“Some people call it chance, but I call it divine intervention for sure. I think it’s part of the plan that God has put forward for us. It’s an exciting time for us and the great city of Phoenix.”
Jeri returns to Arizona after spending the previous six years as the chief of police in Oxnard, Calif. Alan played his college basketball at UC Santa Barbara and later spent a season in China before the Suns signed him earlier this year.
Alan, who is currently with the Summer Suns in Las Vegas, got the good news Wednesday morning and, understandably, couldn’t contain his emotions.
“Some people call it chance, but I call it divine intervention for sure.”
— Alan Williams
“I just started yelling,” Alan said. “It was the news we’ve been waiting on for so long. To finally hear it and for it to finally come true, it’s an extreme blessing. I couldn’t be happier for her.”
Throughout this year’s Summer League competition, Alan Williams has emphatically shown the Suns’ front office the toughness that defines his game.
The 6-8, 260-pound big man has posted double-doubles in all three of Phoenix’s outings. He proudly refers to himself as an enforcer, not afraid to take or deliver hits in the paint if it helps the team win.
And where might he get that selfless mindset from? You guessed it.
“I’m a mama’s boy, and I’m not afraid to say it,” Alan said. “She’s my best friend. Growing up, she was always there and been my No. 1 fan.
“Taking me from practice to practice, making breakfast, lunch and dinner – all while having a full-time job while being in school working on her master’s and doctorate. Just an extremely selfless person. She’s very much a leader in the community and in the household.”
And she’s a Suns fan, too. At her introductory press conference on Thursday, Jeri thanked her family for their continuous support, adding, “Go Phoenix Suns. Start thinking happy thoughts for their game today.”