Buzzer Beater: September Recruiting Recap and Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wrapping up a month of camps and recruiting news with the Buzzer Beater! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Player off the Board</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oklahoma's long time number one prospect in the Class of 2026 is keeping it local. And keeping it in the family. Sharpshooting [player_tooltip player_id='1552319' first='Jalen' last='Montonati'] is off the board to Oklahoma State. The same college his father played for. But before he heads west on Highway 412, he'll be looking to put a bow on an outstanding prep career. He exploded on the scene with big time scoring games as a freshman, cumulating in a State Semifinals appearance in Class 6A. Then he broke through the next level as a sophomore by winning the Class 6A State Title in a stunning game against a juggernaut Edmond North squad. He also collected his first of two Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Montonati's junior season ended with a road block. As Deer Creek played the role of spoiler in knocking off Owasso in the opening round of the Class 6A State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now a motivated and hungry Montonati will be looking to light up the scoreboard again, hoping to become only the fifth Class 6A player (Shake Milton, Xavier Henry, Trae Young, Parker Friedrichsen) to score over 2,000 points for his career. And also bring Owasso their second Gold Ball in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Senior Guards Make Decisions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In September, the Class of 2026 proved that its depth is translatable to the next level with a host of Oklahoma's outstanding guards making D1 commitments. Owasso's [player_tooltip player_id='1552362' first='Boden' last='Williams'] committed in August to Oral Roberts. Joining him as future D1 players were five more Oklahomans. Norman's [player_tooltip player_id='1552322' first='Beau' last='Billingsley'] (Texas A&amp;M Corpus Christi), Millwoods' [player_tooltip player_id='1783189' first='Isaiah' last='Wilks'] (Louisiana) and [player_tooltip player_id='2223700' first='Amari' last='Barrett'] (Ball State), Terra Verde's [player_tooltip player_id='2223695' first='Hudson' last='Franz'] (Maine) and just today, Dale's [player_tooltip player_id='1672779' first='Denton' last='Forsythe'] (Tulsa). Add in Union big man [player_tooltip player_id='1655627' first='Miles' last='Flemons']' commitment to Drake, and there's now 8 Oklahomans going straight to the D1 level out of high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spiritually it's 9 Oklahomans, as Phoenix Woodson, who moved this summer to Dynamic Prep in Dallas, recently committed to New Mexico State. Even with the ever changing aspect of college basketball recruiting focusing on older players and making it harder for high schoolers; the talent of Oklahoma's 2026 class was able to breakthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Next Wave of Guards to Watch </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 isn't done producing D1 players either. There's still strong depth in the class, even if some of these guards might have to go what it is becoming the more common JuCo to D1 route. <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/09/exciting-wings-and-forwards-at-run-showcase/">The jump Choctaw's [player_tooltip player_id='2283661' first='Jordan' last='Valentine'] has made was highlighted earlier this month at the RUN Showcase</a>. Potentially put him on that trjacteory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deshawn Denson II, [player_tooltip player_id='1552339' first='Kolton' last='Brammer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1783190' first='Isaac' last='Sanders'], Kaden Leach have all been sharpshooters since their freshman years. And now they have worked their way into being among the best scorers in Oklahoma. Along with the aforementioned Valentine, there's a host of bigger guards with the positional size and athleticism to keep ascending. That next group of guards is made up of; [player_tooltip player_id='2223702' first='Ivan' last='Antwi-Donkor'], [player_tooltip player_id='2277651' first='Mason' last='Matulis'], [player_tooltip player_id='2327615' first='Kristian' last='Payne'], [player_tooltip player_id='2021906' first='Jonathan' last='VanBuren'], [player_tooltip player_id='2393527' first='Zuo' last='Kpogba'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552385' first='Jamel' last='Morris']. 2026 has proven to be one of the deeper classes in Oklahoma over the last few years. Likely the deepest since 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PrepHoops Camps</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a busy month of camps and I would like to extend my appreciation for the over 130 Oklahoma prospects who attended the Freshman Showcase and the Expo. If you click on my name at the top of the page, you'll find all the write ups from the camps. Good luck this upcoming high school season. And remember, keep tagging PrepHoopsOK on X with highlights, stats and more to keep me in the loop this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emptying out the notebook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes notes on players can slip through the cracks when posting articles. Here's a group of prospects whom caught the eye in September but hadn't yet had write ups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2724400"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc3f43a0ae6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The big spring and summer continued with the Santa Fe refining his guard skills.  Baba looks stronger and more confident with his handles. Leading to not only being a transition monster like the past. But a halftime court one as well at the RUN Showcase. He carved up the defense with an improved crossover.  Looked physically stronger as well.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Late blooming prospect for the Wolves, set for a huge senior season. And should be a JuCo-D2 priority for Oklahoma and regional programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2215926"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc3f43a0ba8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haydon has been a fun watch as a bouncy and aggressive role player for El Reno. He would hit the occasional three, fly around with energy on defense and even mix in a few above the rim plays. Heading into his senior season, he'll need to play a bigger role with the Indians graduating a lot of production. Based on how he shot the ball at the RUN Showcase this month, he looks improved and ready to make a big step forward. Look for Haydon and junior Jacob Nicholes to form a tough duo that will keep El Reno in the mix in 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140760"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc3f43a0c66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shook is a wing from Eastern Oklahoma, who looks to be trending toward more of a playmaking guard. Displayed good floor vision and handles at the RUN Showcase. Even dropping no look dimes. Sneaky slasher off the dribble too, with good size and body control to get to the rim. The Rangers will be looking for another State Tournament appearance in Class 3A. A potential breakout junior season from Shook would help raise the ceiling of a talented squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2958065"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68dc3f43a0d07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Crawford is still making his way back to full form following an injury, one thing is certain. The Del City Eagle can get cooking in the mid-range. Good handles, with a crossover plus shake and bake moves to create space to rise up and get cooking the 15-18 feet range. Looks to have an advanced skill level for his age. Will be one to track as he continues to recover from his injury and matures physically.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->