Recruiting Report: Christian Montague (2017)
Photo Credit: Marc Pendleton
The Chaminade-Julienne Eagles season may have ended last weekend, but Christian Montague (2017) still has plenty of basketball to play. Christian is looking at several Division 1 schools currently and hopes to have a decision made soon.
Christian has had a good season this year. He credits his team for his success because “nothing I get this season from winning or awards would be possible without them”. Even though basketball is a team sport, it’s no secret that Christian is an outstanding guard that will excel at the next level. A true point guard, Christian can score from anywhere on the court and has tremendous vision on the court. Defensively, he can defend any guard and has the athleticism to rebound with post players as well. An injury last season ended Christian’s season early, but he responded this year by leading the GCL North in scoring with 23.4 points per game and also finished in the top 3 in steals with 2.4 per game.
I talked with Christian about what he wants to improve as well as his strengths on the court. “My opinion on my basketball game is I can always become better and something to work on my game…something I want to improve on the court would be off the ball defense. I’m pretty solid but there’s always room for improvement”. The most impressive part of Christian’s game is his ability to overcome obstacles. As previously mentioned, Christian suffered an injury near the end of last season and missed several games. Some player would come back from an injury and may not play 100%.Christian however came back stronger and helped lead the Eagles to a second place finish in the GCL and a near upset of Dunbar in the postseason.
One reason for Christian’s success is the coaching he received. Joe Staley has been the coach at Chaminade-Julienne for many years, and has helped mold the Eagles into a consistent powerhouse in Dayton. Christian tells me Coach Staley indeed is the reason for his success. “Coach Staley is a great coach. He’s taught me on and off the court and taught me basketball brings out the character out of people. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be as good as I am right now”. Coach Staley has developed several young men and helped guide them onto college rosters during his years at C-J. Christian has learned from some of these players including Alan Vest (Wright State) and Myo Baxter (Liberty). Christian has been a varsity letterman for 4 years and had the opportunity to play with these men. “I learned a lot from (Vest and Baxter) from playing and (learned) how to lead”.
Christian is considering Winthrop and Liberty from the Big South Conference. He hoped to announce his decision after the season, but he is not 100% sure yet. Regardless of who he decides to play with, Christian will impact his team, and will go down as one of the best guards to graduate from Chaminade-Julienne.