By ZACH SMART & SAM LANCE
As a Top-25 prospect known for his ability to spread the floor with a poised, long range shooting prowess, MoKan Elite Class of 2026 small forward Jalen Montonati is looking to whittle down his choices.
Coming off a junior season in which he was Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the Year at Owasso High School, Montonati would like to make a commitment prior to the start of his 2025-26 senior season.
“Fit, development and culture are three things that really stand out to me,” said Montonati of the critical factors which will influence his decision.
“Just the style of play that they have on offense and defense. The development, I want to get to the NBA so I want to go a place that develops me on and off the court. And culture, I want to go to a winning program. That’s really big for me.”
This past off-season has witnessed Montonati add muscle to his frame. He’s developed into more of a play-creator, utilizing his feel for the game in enhancing his passing.
Montonati is slated for visits to Oklahoma (Sept. 6) and Oklahoma State (Oct. 18). He recently visited Kansas State.
“(Kansas State) treated me like family, it was really good,” said Montonati of the visit.
“Coach (Jerome) Tang told me that he is recruiting me to score buckets. That was one of the main things that he told me. He just told me the actions he was going to use me in. They run a lot of ball screen stuff. A lot of five out stuff. My game fits with that.”
Montonati is also intrigued by BYU, which just recently began recruiting him.
“They came in the picture like two months ago,” Montonati said of BYU.
“I watched a lot of BYU basketball last year, just because of how good of a coach Kevin Young is and the job he does with his guys. The NBA coaches he has on staff and with the offense he runs is really good. I definitely want to get out there and check out campus and see if a potential fit is there.”
Oklahoma, as Montonati noted, has been consistent throughout his recruiting process.
“I’ve been able to build a really good relationship with them over the years. (Assistant) Coach (Ryan) Humphrey and head coach (Porter) Moser. They just continuously show me love and support through all my up and downs, which is really cool.
Oklahoma State is a program Montonati has tremendous familiarity with. His father, Owasso HS head coach Brian Montonati, played for the Cowboys in the late 90s and early 2000s.
“I think coach (Steve) Lutz has a really good chance to turn that program around,” Montonati said.
“He’s done a really good job in Year 1. He’s made a lot of additions in the portal in Year 2…(Lutz) is constantly blowing up my phone, which I appreciate.”
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