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MBBALL 2024-25 University of Montana Mens Basketball Recruiting

Grizfan-24

Grizfan-24

Well-known member
Staff member
Since we've changed from 2023 to 2024, time to create a new list.

-- A couple of observations:
1) Montana recruiting has a bit different tone for 24 and 25. There is some sense that based upon class balance (overwhelmingly Senior (5 scholarship players) that Travis will supplement the two new comers (Thompson HS-FR) and Dargan (JC) with some current D1 transfers. On paper there seems to be at least 2, if not 3 open scholarships for the upcoming season. Montana will be really inexperienced next year and it makes sense there focus might be to bring instant impact transfers.
2) Montana also is dabbling in JC guys a bit more than normal and I've added them if they have been posted as interested on the interwebs. My primary source is Jake Leiberman, but there are a few others that post JC interest.

2024-25 ANTICIPATED ROSTER
ROSTER BY POSITION/YEAR
PositionNameHT/WTYearFromStatus
PGChase Henderson6'0'' 165SophomoreDes Moines, IA (Hoover HS)HS-S
PGBrandon Whitney6'1'' 183SeniorMission Hills, CA (Bishop Alemany)HS-S (Covid Yr)
PGConnor Dick6'3'' 193SophomoreMissoula, MT (HellgateHS-WO
SGTyler Thompson6'4''FreshmanFairfield, CA (Vanden HS)HS-S
SGMalik Moore6'5'' JuniorValencia, CA (Pepperdine)TR-S
SGAustin Patterson6'3'' 185SeniorSonora, CA (Sacramento St)TR-S
SGJeremiah Dargan6'4'' 180JuniorConcord, CA (West Valley JC)JC-S
SG/WMoney Williams6'4'' 200SophomoreOakland, CA (Oakland HS)HS-S
PostBlake Jones6'10'' 225SeniorCanberra, Aus (George Mason)TR-S
PostZack Davidson6'8'' 224RS-FreshmanSanta Ana, CA (Mater Dei)HS-S
PostTe'Jon Sawyer6'9'' 255SeniorSan Francisco, CA (CCSF)JC-S


Scholarships By Class:
Seniors ('25)-4)-- P: Sawyer, T, Jones, B, Patterson, A, Whitney, B
Juniors ('26): (2)-- CG: Dargan, J, SG: Moore, M
Sophomores ('27) 2) --PG: Henderson, C; CG: Williams, M;
Freshmen ('28) 2) P: Davidson, Z; Thompson, T;

Graduation/Departing Players: 8 (7 scholarships, 1 Walk-On)
PG-- Adam Shoff (6'1'' 167'') Senior-- Redding, CA (Shasta College) Graduation No Eligibility Left
*S-CG- Josh Vasquez (6'3'' 195) Senior- Torrance, CA - Graduation No Eligibility Left
*S-SG- Aanen Moody (6'3'' 184)- Senior- Dickenson, ND Graduation No Eligibility Left
*S-P- Dischon Thomas (6'9'' 235) Senior -- Durham, NC (Graduation No Eligibility Left
S-P- Laolu Oke (6'8'' 218) Senior-- Aurora, CO Graduation No Eligibility Left

CG- Giordan Williams (6'5'' 200) Senior- Long Beach, CA (Santa Clara/Long Beach Poly)- Graduate Transfer 1E
W- Jaxon Nap (6'7'' 205) Junior-- Renton, WA (Hazen HS)-Transfer 2E
P- Rhett Reynolds (6'9'' 199) RS Sophomore-- Shelby, MT (Shelby HS)- Transfer 3E- Montana Tech

Scholarships Available:
2024-25: 3
2025-26: 3-5

Current Offers or Interest:
Transfers/JC

GUARDS:
PG- Javon Ervin (6'3'')-Junior- (Penninsula College)- (Interest)- Montana, Idaho State, San Diego, UC Irivine (averaged 22ppg, 4.3rpg)
SG- Deonte Williams (6'6'')-Junior- Sydney, Au (Trinity Charter School)- (Interest)- Southern, Radford, South Carolina State

b]WINGS:[/b
SF- Chol Deng (6'6'' 190)-Junior- Sydney, Au (Fairmount Prep/Grayson JC)- (Interest) Montana, Utah Valley, Idaho, UCR

Class of 2024 (HS SR's):
GUARDS:
PG- Tanner Jones (6'1'' 160) St. Louis, MO (Campbell Hall): Tennessee State, Louisiana-Monroe, Montana (Jun 16, 23)
CG- Ryan Pettis (6'2'' 170) San Mateo, CA (Juniperro Serra) - Long Beach State, Pacific, Weber State, Montana, Louisiana Tech, Sacramento State, UC Davis

WINGS:

POSTS:
PF- Chiang Ring (6'8'') Minneapolis, MN (Park Center HS) Bryant, NAU, Montana, UND, San Diego, New Mexico (June 6, 23)
PF- Donovan Young (6'8'' 210) Branson, MO (Link Academy)- Montana, Montana State

Class of 2025 (HS JR's):
GUARDS:
PG- Mason Brown (6'3'') Las Vegas, NV (Durango): UMKC, New Mexico, SJSU, Montana
PG- Brayden Boe (6'2'') Beaverton, OR (Mountainside HS) Portland, Seattle, BSU, WSU, Montana (8-25-23)
SG- Jalen Stokes (6'5 205'') Oakland, CA (Dublin HS) Montana, UMKC
SG- Kaden Powers (6'5'' 180) Seattle, CA (Rainier Beach)- USF, Seattle, Idaho ,Montana
SG- Gavin Sykes (6'4'') Sacramento, CA (Capital Christian)- Sacramento State, Montana, San Jose State (9-9-23)
SG- Jaden Vance (6'5'') Phoenix, AZ (Bella Vista Prep)- Montana (10-14-23)
SG- Mazi Mosley (6'5'' 165) La Canada-Flintridge (St. Francis)- Arizona State, Montana, Oklahoma, UMKC, Cal
SG- Legend Smiley (6'5'' 175) Seattle, WA (Garfield)- Utah State, UNLV, Seattle, Montana, Washington
SG- Jackson Rassmussen (6'7'' 200) Boise, ID (Owyhee HS)- Montana, Boise State, Point Loma, Idaho
SG- Jaden Goodall (6'6'') Anaheim, CA (Southern California Prep)- UCSB, UCR, Columbia, Montana, UCSD


WINGS:
W: Jovani Ruff (6'5'' 175) Long Beach, CA (Southern California Academy) LMU, ASU, LSU, Texas AM, Nebraska, Cal, USC, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, UCLA, Montana (7-28-23)

POSTS:
PF-JuJu Ervin (6'8'') Spokane, WA (North Central HS) Montana (6-6-23)
PF- Dallas Washington (6'9'' 190) Santa Margarita, CA (Santa Margarita) Washington State, Portland, UCR, Montana, CSN, High Point (6-29-23)
PF- Douglas Langford (6'8'' 220) Downey, CA (St. Pius X) LMU, SJSU, UT-A, Sac State, CSN, UC SD, UCR, Montana, USF (7-24-23)
PF- Tae Simmons (6'6'' 200) Northridge, CA (Heritage Christian)- Montana, LMU, Nevada, UCR, Utah State
PF-Christopher Baudreau (6'9'' 200) Fresno, CA (Clovis West)- Montana
PF- Gelani Irvin (6'8'') Spokane, WA (Northcentral HS)- Montana

Class of 2026 (HS So's):
PG- Justice Griffith (6'0") Corona, CA (Centennial HS) - Montana, Long Beach State, UC Riverside (3-23-23)
 
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You might just as well forget about the 'Current Offers or Interest' column. According to BigSkyBreakup, I mean, Bigskydbreakdown. They're either too good for us, or not good enough. And nobody, I mean, nobody, from the mighty State of California will ever be enticed to play in Montana; that is, unless they came to Montana to grow dental floss, that is. And wing players are a dime a dozen, anyways.
 
Are you sure that Whitney is out of eligibility? He is listed as a junior on verbalcommits. I thought the Covid year rule might apply to him.
 
GrizWhiz said:
Are you sure that Whitney is out of eligibility? He is listed as a junior on verbalcommits. I thought the Covid year rule might apply to him.
Click to expand...

Until I hear, I’m going to leave him as a senior. I do think your right, but I haven’t heard one way or the other about his desire to exercise his Covid option.
 
It's weird for Montana in recent years to be connected publicly with JUCO guys, but both of the them are Australian prep school kids from Sydney. Most of the time UM shadow recruits JC programs (Dargan is an example of it, Sawyer to a lesser degree last year), and their names generally just pop up in the signing window.

If I'm looking at the roster for next year (w/o Whitney) -not in any real order of depth...:

PG: Henderson (So.)/ Dick (So.)
SG: M. Williams (So.)/G. Williams (Sr.)/Dargan (Jr.)
W: Nap (Jr.)/Thompson (Fr.)
P: Sawyer (Sr.)/Jones (Jr.)/ Davidson (Fr.)/Bateman (Jr.)
P: Reynolds (So.)

I'd say if Whitney decides to move on or retire, I'd almost guarantee Travis pounds the pavement for a PG with experience that can come in an contribute immediately. I really doubt Montana is going to be on late period HS kids unless there is a kid they are big on. The other is some sort of big. I think I would trend towards looking for guys who can bring a bit of heft in the middle considering how weak defensively UM has been in the post. Sawyer has show all year he's vastly better as a 4 defender than a guy who can defend in the post or play off pick and rolls. Those longer guys are exceedingly hard to find, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if UM is connected with a lot of transfer portal bigs.
 
Grizfan-24 said:
It's weird for Montana in recent years to be connected publicly with JUCO guys, but both of the them are Australian prep school kids from Sydney. Most of the time UM shadow recruits JC programs (Dargan is an example of it, Sawyer to a lesser degree last year), and their names generally just pop up in the signing window.

If I'm looking at the roster for next year (w/o Whitney) -not in any real order of depth...:

PG: Henderson (So.)/ Dick (So.)
SG: M. Williams (So.)/G. Williams (Sr.)/Dargan (Jr.)
W: Nap (Jr.)/Thompson (Fr.)
P: Sawyer (Sr.)/Jones (Jr.)/ Davidson (Fr.)/Bateman (Jr.)
P: Reynolds (So.)

I'd say if Whitney decides to move on or retire, I'd almost guarantee Travis pounds the pavement for a PG with experience that can come in an contribute immediately. I really doubt Montana is going to be on late period HS kids unless there is a kid they are big on. The other is some sort of big. I think I would trend towards looking for guys who can bring a bit of heft in the middle considering how weak defensively UM has been in the post. Sawyer has show all year he's vastly better as a 4 defender than a guy who can defend in the post or play off pick and rolls. Those longer guys are exceedingly hard to find, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if UM is connected with a lot of transfer portal bigs.
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What am I missing regarding Nap? I have seen nothing from him which warrants a starting position. To me, he would trouble starting for a Frontier Conference school. Not slamming the kid, but perhaps he is playing in a division higher than his ability level.
 
thirdandlong said:
What am I missing regarding Nap? I have seen nothing from him which warrants a starting position. To me, he would trouble starting for a Frontier Conference school. Not slamming the kid, but perhaps he is playing in a division higher than his ability level.
Click to expand...
Jackson hustles his ass off. He may never be a starter, but he works hard when he is in th Likee game. And as John Stroder showed when he was in the NBA, you need guys who can carry the suitcases to the bus. Plus he is dating future Lady Griz star Macy Huard.
 
Nap does several things, albeit in small doses this year, that I know Travis loves. First he defends really hard. He might be at this moment the most versatile defender the Grizzlies have, and Travis has used those guys frequently over the years in a defensive only role either in the starting lineup or off the bench.

Second, sort of connected to the first is that Travis wants 3 and D guys on the floor. We haven't really had one over the past three years. He's shown enough this year, again in albeit small samples, that he isn't a black hole on the offensive end and it is clear that he's capable of facilitating from the wing. He can shoot a little, has the ability to be aggressive off the dribble, and can pass.

I don't think he's going to be a star, but like Josh Vasquez he could very easily hold his own in any role that Travis has for him. Like maroon said, he hustles his ass off and Travis loves those guys. He'll have a place on this roster as long as he wants to be here.
 
Another interesting anecdote (can't remember where I heard/read it from) was that I think the Griz started recruiting him as a high-school junior when he was a....wait for it....6ft guard. He grew 6 or 7 inches from his junior year to his first year at UM. Repeating things that other folks have said being a PG in high school, he has experience facilitating and seeing the whole floor - which I think makes him a sneaky good defender. He isn't quite as flashy as say a Bobby Moorehead on D, but he's a lot like a taller version of Vaszquez on D. Generally stays with his man, usually keeps him from going where he wants to go and his an ok rebounder on top of all that.
 
Grizfan-24 said:
Until I hear, I’m going to leave him as a senior. I do think your right, but I haven’t heard one way or the other about his desire to exercise his Covid option.
Click to expand...
Travis said during an interview on ESPN+ that Brandon had a COVID year to use if he chose, but his tone of voice seemed to convery that he was not planning on Brandon taking advantage of that. I could easily be reading way to much into his response, but it's what I took away from that. Personally, I think Brandon is top notch player and human and would love to see him for one more year.
 
Grizrunr said:
Travis said during an interview on ESPN+ that Brandon had a COVID year to use if he chose, but his tone of voice seemed to convery that he was not planning on Brandon taking advantage of that. I could easily be reading way to much into his response, but it's what I took away from that. Personally, I think Brandon is top notch player and human and would love to see him for one more year.
Click to expand...
I doubt he'll use it. He was part of the Senior Night deal. That was a game that I was actually at, his parents were a few rows behind me with the framed jersey's they give away. He could pull an Ostmo, but typically when the players are honored as seniors, they are Audi 5000.
 
Grizrunr said:
Travis said during an interview on ESPN+ that Brandon had a COVID year to use if he chose, but his tone of voice seemed to convery that he was not planning on Brandon taking advantage of that. I could easily be reading way to much into his response, but it's what I took away from that. Personally, I think Brandon is top notch player and human and would love to see him for one more year.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I think he adds to the team if he returns, similarly to Josh. I'd take his return in a heart beat.
 
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