Recruiting Report: DaMontez Oliver (2016)
Jack Herron
Going from absolutely no offers to double digits offers in one summer is impressive. That is what Deep Run and River City Reign wing DaMontez Oliver did during the AAU season, going from 0 to 10 offers in just four months.
Last night, Oliver informed the Vantage Hoops staff through a direct message on twitter that he has eight of those schools that he's favoring early. Those schools, in no particular order, are Norfolk State, Wofford, UNC Wilmington, Morgan State, Central Connecticut State, Campbell, Hampton and Nebraska Omaha.
The sheer amount of increased attention from a kid who was garnering little to no recruitment was surprising to everyone outside of Oliver’s circle, but they knew he stayed the course and it would pay off.
“I’ve stayed humble while flying under the radar and just kept working day in and day out,” Oliver said. “Family and coaches told me it was going to be a big summer for me.”
The athletic 6’5 wing had originally transferred to Millwood and reclassed to the 2017 class after his freshman season, but transferred back to Deep Run during the beginning of last season, forfeiting a year of his eligibility. While some questioned if that would hurt the late bloomer, Oliver instead became a force on both ends for River City Reign this summer, and is set up to have a big senior campaign for a talented Deep Run team.
“I want to continue my success by staying in the gym, progressing with my team and getting everybody on the same level,” he said. “We all want to win states.”
His length and athleticism is what drew a lot of low major programs to the wing who can make such an impact on both ends of the floor. His versatility allows him to guard multiple positions at the next level, and he’s capable of playing the power forward position if the team wants to go small, or he can play either of the wing positions and give them good size in smaller leagues.
While he wants to make sure he has the right fit for him on the court, Oliver also wants to make sure he’ll feel at home with whatever school he ends up choosing.
“I’m looking for a school that wants me for my talents and cares about my future, oneI can play all four years at and compete for a starting position,” he said. “I want a family oriented team with good coaches and staff, good players and a place that I feel at home."
The most impressive thing about Oliver’s summer is how much he has improved from his junior season in a short time. Known as a good rebounder that finishes well above the rim in transition, he is now a confident and consistent shooter from deep, and attacks much better in straight lines from the wing.
If he continues to improve at and impact the game at the rate he did this summer, he could be an early impact player at whatever one of these eight schools lands him.
