Freshman to Watch: Detwan Montague (2021)
For the upcoming high school season, there are a handful of high school freshmen that have potential to be very special. We’ve highlighted the majority over the past couple of months and now make our way to St. Frances Academy’s Detwan Montague.
The 6’8 forward is extremely long and mobile for his size and age. This past spring and summer, Montague was productive for Team Thrill and was able to improve on his all-around game in order to prepare for the varsity level.
“I really wanted to improve my jumpshot, elevating more and my handles,” Montague told PrepHoops. “Also specific things like finishing on the pick-and-rolls and talking more on defense. You know, just being more active.”
Montague will be challenged every single day throughout his freshman season. The Panthers are loaded in the frontline with names like Koran Moore (2018), Jason Murphy (2019) and Bassirou Diop (2019). If Eyabi Anoma (2018) decides to play even though he is the top-ranked defensive end in the country, that will be another big body that Montague has to battle with in practice. With all that being said, going against highly skilled big men like this will do wonders for Montague’s development. He has the right mindset going into the situation as well.
“I just want to compete every single day no matter who I’m going against,” Montague said. “That goes for on and off the court. I want to compete on the floor and in the classroom with my teammates. I’ve learned so much from the guys every day. Not only my teammates like Koran and Ace [Baldwin], but also the coaches. They push me every single day.”
Considering Montague will be joining an extremely talented St. Frances roster, it would be easy to let that get to a young teenager’s head and ego. But he seems to be well-grounded.
“I just want to do anything to produce,” Montague explained on his individual expectations for this season. “No matter what it is, I just want to be able to do whatever my coaches want me to do so I can fit in right away.”
On the floor, Montague is a shot-blocking presence because of his size and length. What will get him minutes this season will be his ability to run the floor and fill lanes. With a point guard like Baldwin, having big men that know how to fill lanes or trail on the break is crucial for easy dump off passes. As he said earlier, once Montague becomes more explosive getting off the floor, his game will take off. That comes with basic maturity and filling into his body.
No schools have yet inquired about the freshman, but it seems to be only a matter of time. This season will be a huge learning experience for him and will make him a player to watch not only for the upcoming season, but the three that he has left in his high school career.
2021 Detwan Montague with the big dunk in his middle school game #ptf @WillTheThrillB5 @Coach_Mookie pic.twitter.com/0xpl1LoDqL
— Team Thrill (@TeamThrillUAA) February 8, 2017