Prospect Spotlight: Montana Griffin
A standout shooter, 2019 guard Montana Griffin is coming off a strong summer competing for the Kansas Cagers 17U and is gearing up for a big season at Burlingame.
At 6’2, Griffin is a standout shooter who also brings an unselfish mentality to the court. He likes to get his teammates involved and can get to the basket when his shots aren’t falling and is a good finisher around the rim.
I am a great shooter. I am also a very unselfish player I like to distribute to my teammates and get them going. I get to the rim whenever my shots aren’t falling An good at finishing around the rim. My summer was amazing our AAU program lost four games all summer
Griffin says the Cagers lost just four games all summer and advanced to the Sweet 16 where they fell to Team Rush at the Hardwood Classic and later went to the Las Vegas Fab 48 where they went 7-1
“That was a good summer to be apart of and really great experiences,” Griffin said. “I really improved on my ball handling and getting more explosive to play above the rim.”
Griffin says expectations are high this season for Burlingame, a Class 1A team that went 22-3 and took third at the state tournament a year ago. The team will have to replace three seniors, but return several key components.
“Our upcoming high school year is going to be big for us,” Griffin said. “We took third in state last year, we lost in the semis by a last second layup it makes me sick to my stomach every time I think about it and It has really made me want revenge.
“Our team is all around good and skilled we should take first in state.”
Griffin says he is looking forward to playing South Gray, the team his Bearcats lost to last season.
Griffin says his former junior high coach Darin Lee and his AAU coach Craig Butler have had the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.
“(Lee) pushed me to where I wanted to be and I really appreciate that,” Griffin said. “(Butler) has believed in me from day one he pushes me through all the workouts and is getting me where I want to be the next level.”
Griffin says he looks up to Parker Lee, who was a standout basketball player at Burlingame, and former Kansas point guard Frank Mason.
“(Lee) was a star in our school and I have looked up to him since Day 1,” Griffin said. “He gives me all the tips I need to be successful and he believes in me.
“Mason is another one Kansas is my favorite team he is an amazing leader on an off the court, I also like the dog he gots in him.”
Griffin says he has received several letters from Division III schools but hopes to someday play Division I basketball.