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Zek Montgomery commits to Bradley

With the final 2021 scholarship, Bradley gets an NLI commitment from 2021 recruit Ezekial "Zek" Montgomery.
https://bradleybraves.com/news/2021/...ry-to-nli.aspx
https://twitter.com/bradleyumbb/stat...04619864674308

E3tPmuDWEAMP4Kh



He is a 6'6" wing with good ball-handling and passing abilities, and he is becoming an excellent outside shooter. He is also already a very good defensive player.
He is from Louisville, KY, and attended Fern Creek HS until the pandemic and other factors lead him to transfer to St. Louis Christian HS for his senior year.
The combination of him transferring, the Covid pandemic causing most of his senior season games to get cancelled, and the fact it was looking like he was not going to be a qualifier caused most schools to back off recruiting him. So he played AAU ball this spring after his senior season, something that is not commonly done, and he played exceptionally well. Bradley has developed connections with Indiana Elite, and became involved recruiting Zek a couple months ago. We first reported that here-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...182#post498182

And a follow-up report here-
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/sp...594#post498594

https://verbalcommits.com/players/zek-montgomery
https://www.hudl.com/profile/1382735...iel-Montgomery

Our coaches are very high on him, and feel he has tremendous upside potential.
Zek has worn #15 at every place he's played (Fern Creek HS, St. Louis Christian HS, and Indiana Elite). However, #15 is one of Bradley's retired numbers (Paul Unruh).
Past Bradley players who wore #15-
Marcellus Sommerville (2003-2006)
Jim Les (1983-1986)
Eric Duhart (1979-1981)
Paul Unruh (1948-1950)
George Runkle (1941-1942)
Ed Kiefer (1938-1939)


Videos-
Spring 2021- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kzJxM5cb3U
Fall 2020- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAbtphFuCpQ
Summer 2020- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfy-mCfTUzI
2019-20 season at Fern Creek HS, Louisville-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWmCesfteFA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_LNkq3wA4
Summer, 2019-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oP0-BEUEh4
 
Article about Zek Montgomery in PJ Star by Dave Eminian
https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/...ss/7668930002/

Quotes from Coach Wardle-
"He's very versatile, and we're excited to have him as our final piece," Bradley coach Brian Wardle said. "He can really shoot and score. We wanted to add another shooter, and we got what we needed."

"We have our pieces, now we're excited to blend the returnees with the newcomers," Wardle said. "It's about building the togetherness that is important to a team."

As noted in another post, Bradley's summer team workouts start Monday (June 14).
https://www.bradleyfans.com/forum/s...mmer-session-started-monday-june-7#post498638

Also, as mentioned in that earlier post...
Bradley returning players Ja'Shon Henry, Ari Boya, Darius Hanna, Jayson Kent, Connor Linke, and Riley Burger, as well as new enrollee Connor Hickman are on campus for the summer session. Three other new guys, Malevy Leons, Terry Roberts, and Mikey Howell, will be arriving shortly, as probably the 13th scholarship player will, who will be named soon (Zek Montgomery).
Three other foreign guys, Ville Tahvanainen, Rienk Mast, and Maxime Okono aren't in the US yet, and will not arrive until later in the summer as they are participating with their countries' national teams.
Summer classes have already started, and team workouts start next Monday. And as in the past, the players have access to the practice and training facilities, and will be playing in the gym.
 
Possibly the best recruiting class during Wardle’s time at BU. Only time will tell but there a lot of kids in this class that could have went much higher. Great job by the entire staff. This last one has a chance of becoming very special at BU
 
lb071964 said:
Possibly the best recruiting class during Wardle’s time at BU. Only time will tell but there a lot of kids in this class that could have went much higher. Great job by the entire staff. This last one has a chance of becoming very special at BU
Click to expand...

I feel it is, though as you say, time will tell.
We thought the 2019 recruiting class was going to be a special group, too. And they did contribute to 2 MVC Championships, but some things didn't turn out as well as we hoped:
Here are all the recruiting classes under Brian Wardle.
2015- Joel Okafor, Luuk van Bree, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Callum Barker, Antoine Pittman, Scottie James, Davante Cooper, Ronnie Suggs, Alex Foster (transfer), Peter Hanley (walkon), D'Angelo McBride (walkon)
2016- Jayden Hodgson, Koch Bar, Darrell Brown Jr, Nate Kennell, Jerome Merritt, Jojo McGlaston, Lou Griffith (walkon)
2017- Elijah Childs, Ryan Stipanovich, Luqman Lundy
2018- Ari Boya, Ja'Shon Henry, Armon Brummett, Chudier Bile (enrolled for summer school but left Bradley shortly after)
2019- Ville Tahvanainen, Rienk Mast, Antonio Thomas, Danya Kingsby, Terry Nolan Jr., Kevin McAdoo, Stephan Gabriel, Sean Houpt (walkon), Riley Burger (walkon), JaMir Price (enrolled for summer school but left Bradley shortly after)
2020- Darius Hannah, Connor Linke, Jayson Kent, Sean East II
2021- Connor Hickman, Mikey Howell, Terry Roberts, Maxime Ekono, Malevy Leons, Zek Montgomery

The 2021 recruiting class started out looking like it would be just 2 new recruits to replace the 2 seniors (Elijah Childs and Danya Kingsby). But with 4 other scholarships opening when players left, it turned into a 6-player recruiting class. And many of us expected the coaches to fill those open scholarships with a bunch of transfer players off the Transfer Portal. But the coaches have done a terrific job and have landed 3 outstanding high schoolers (Connor Hickman, Maxime Okono, Zek Montgomery), 2 of the top juco players in the country (Terry Roberts, Malevy Leons), and one key player off the Transfer Portal (Mikey Howell).
Great job coaches!
 
On paper I’m not sure there has been a recruiting class under Coach that comes close. Again I said on paper!

Terry Robert’s - Had 16 offers that included Wichita State.

Maxime Ekono.- Played a short time in the US but had strong interest from Memphis, Maryland, Georgetown and West Virginia.

Mikey Howell - Left UC San Diego as their all time leading assist holder. Picked Bradley over Texas AM, BYU and others.

Malevy Leons - Junior College Player of the year. Junior College male athlete of the year. He left his visit to Missouri and immediately committed to BU. His final 4 was BU, Marquette, Wichita State and Missouri.

Connor Hickman - Indiana All State honors. His team was undefeated until COVID shut things down.

Zek Montgomery - All I will say here is he had major offers and may end up being the best of the lot.

This is a class that has it all and it has more kids that had legitimate high offers than any class I can remember. Don’t beat me up, I know it’s on paper and the court is what counts. We need big crowds coming back to Carver to support this team!
 
Thanks for listing all the new players! I too think it looks like an outstanding class! Our coaches really know how to work smartly!!!
 
lb071964 said:
Possibly the best recruiting class during Wardle’s time at BU. Only time will tell but there a lot of kids in this class that could have went much higher. Great job by the entire staff. This last one has a chance of becoming very special at BU
Click to expand...

I agree. I think this is his best recruiting class while here at Bradley
 
WOW! Sounds like they'll be some really competitive practices. Hopefully they play as good as it appears their talent is. Can't wait!
 
The only thing this team needs now is fans in the seats! 5000-7000 people in an 11,000 seat arena is embarrassing. People rag about nothing to do in Peoria. Well. Here it is... 20+ days/nights at Carver with dinner/drinks before or after. With a band, attractive cheerleaders and a halftime show. Use it or lose it Peoria. Forget the bars and bowling alleys, Carver is the place to be.
 
AZ BU Fan said:
The only thing this team needs now is fans in the seats! 5000-7000 people in an 11,000 seat arena is embarrassing. People rag about nothing to do in Peoria. Well. Here it is... 20+ days/nights at Carver with dinner/drinks before or after. With a band, attractive cheerleaders and a halftime show. Use it or lose it Peoria. Forget the bars and bowling alleys, Carver is the place to be.
Click to expand...

Even with attendance of about 5,300 (on average) Bradley has consistently had the top attendance in the Valley. Bradley also has the largest arena so it's more apparent that the place is not full. We're in different times now than we were in the late 2000s under Les and it's unlikely that attendance will ever average over 7,500 again (hope I'm wrong). If this recruiting class and team can become dominant in the Valley over the next 3-4 years I think attendance can get back to 7,000+ once again.
 
I've posted these numbers before. They are the official attendance figures for Bradley home games for every year 1978-2021.
They show the most significant decline was from 2012 to 2015, caused by several devastating decisions made by Joanne Glasser and Michael Cross- the firing of Jim Les, the hiring of Geno Ford, the largest increase of ticket prices in Bradley history, and others.

Year/rank/Gms..total.....avg....change
2021……..14……….0………..0……...0…… down 5,651
2020........17….96,059..5,651 up 222 (all games at Carver)
2019........16….86,871..5,429 down 270 (all games at Carver)
2018 .......15….85,489..5,699 up 212 (all games at Carver)
2017 #96 15 82,318 5,487 down 466 (all games at Carver)
2016 #91 15 89,299 5,953 up 227 (all games at Carver)
2015 #94 16 91,614 5,726 down 882 (Carver average 5827)
2014 #74 17 112,335 6,608 up 51 (Carver average 6,984)
2013 #79 18 118,024 6,557 down 1,083
2012 #68 16 122,245 7,640 down 807
2011 #56 16 135,148 8,447 down 892
2010 #52 15 140,079 9,339 up 229
2009 #55 18 163,981 9,110 down 490
2008 #52 19 183,392 9,600 down 128
2007 #53 17 165,376 9,728 up 508
2006 #54 14 129,086 9,220 down 117
2005 #51 15 140,065 9,337 up 159
2004 #52 15 137,667 9,178 down 173
2003 #47 14 130,907 9,351 up 279
2002 #47 13 117,935 9,072 down 50
2001 #51 15 136,683 9,112 down 1,066
2000 #41 14 142,495 10,178 up 646
1999 #44 15 142,980 9,532 down 237
1998 #41 13 127,001 9,769 up 144
1997 #41 14 134,755 9,625 down 47
1996 #44 13 125,733 9,672 up 151
1995 #47 14 133,288 9,521 up 707
1994 #46 16 140,700 8,794 up 1,523
1993 #67 13 94,523 7,271 up 278
1992 #78 13 90,904 6,993 down 391
1991 #70 13 95,995 7,384 down 357
1990 #65 13 100,632 7,741 down 1,177
1989 #51 13 115,939 8,918 down 1,098
1988 #36 16 160,263 10,016 up 1,307
1987 #41 14 121,922 8,709 down 199
1986 #37 14 124,712 8,908 up 1,366
1985 #60 15 113,124 7,542 up 350
1984 #62 15 107,881 7,192 down 1,821
1983 #38 16 144,209 9,013 up 1,730
1982 #56 17 123,810 7,283 down 33
1981 #55 14 102,430 7,316 up 63
1980 #59 16 116,050 7,253 up 503
1979 #64 14 94,500 6,750 down 113
1978 #56 16 109,800 6,863
 
lb071964 said:
On paper I’m not sure there has been a recruiting class under Coach that comes close. Again I said on paper!

Terry Robert’s - Had 16 offers that included Wichita State.

Maxime Ekono.- Played a short time in the US but had strong interest from Memphis, Maryland, Georgetown and West Virginia.

Mikey Howell - Left UC San Diego as their all time leading assist holder. Picked Bradley over Texas AM, BYU and others.

Malevy Leons - Junior College Player of the year. Junior College male athlete of the year. He left his visit to Missouri and immediately committed to BU. His final 4 was BU, Marquette, Wichita State and Missouri.

Connor Hickman - Indiana All State honors. His team was undefeated until COVID shut things down.

Zek Montgomery - All I will say here is he had major offers and may end up being the best of the lot.

This is a class that has it all and it has more kids that had legitimate high offers than any class I can remember. Don’t beat me up, I know it’s on paper and the court is what counts. We need big crowds coming back to Carver to support this team!
Click to expand...

Thanks for this breakdown, this was great info to have all in one place, IB!

Welcome aboard, Zek. We are excited to have you and look forward to cheering you on at Carver! Peoria will love you and you will love Peoria!
 
A little off subject but I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to think Mast is a freshman this year. Not sure he will be here 4 more years but I still like the thought.
 
lb071964 said:
A little off subject but I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to think Mast is a freshman this year. Not sure he will be here 4 more years but I still like the thought.
Click to expand...

Could not agree more. Considering what he did last year coming off a serious injury as a freshman, can you imagine if he continues to heal and improve over the next 4 years. I’m expecting huge things from him, especially if he can play more at the 4.

very excited to be going back to games this year, as well!
 
Interesting comparison of freshman MVC Conference statistics this past season-
.....Player..........................MPG...Points/G....Reb/G.....Asst/G........FG%......3pt%
Bowen Born (UNI).............31.1....11.2...........2.6...... ..... 2.4.........39.5%.....38.1% *Bowen Born was MVC Freshman of the Year
Rienk Mast (BU)................27.8....10.1...........6.5.... ........1.4..........50.7%.....37.1%
Sheldon Edwards (VU).....23.5......8.4............2.7........... 1.5..........38.2%.....32.6%
Kyler Filewich (SIU)..........23.6......7.6............5.9............1.8..........50.5%......0.0%
Nate Heise (UNI)...............31.9......7.7............3.3.. ..........1.0.........38.7%.....27.1%


I might have voted for a different FOY :)
 
Da Coach said:
Interesting comparison of freshman MVC Conference statistics this past season-
.....Player..........................MPG...Points/G....Reb/G.....Asst/G........FG%......3pt%
Bowen Born (UNI).............31.1....11.2...........2.6...... ..... 2.4.........39.5%.....38.1% *Bowen Born was MVC Freshman of the Year
Rienk Mast (BU)................27.8....10.1...........6.5.... ........1.4..........50.7%.....37.1%
Sheldon Edwards (VU).....23.5......8.4............2.7........... 1.5..........38.2%.....32.6%
Kyler Filewich (SIU)..........23.6......7.6............5.9............1.8..........50.5%......0.0%
Nate Heise (UNI)...............31.9......7.7............3.3.. ..........1.0.........38.7%.....27.1%


I might have voted for a different FOY :)
Click to expand...

Good comparison. Rienk definitely had to be considered as FOY with those stats. Look at that FG%!
 
Da Coach said:
Interesting comparison of freshman MVC Conference statistics this past season-
.....Player..........................MPG...Points/G....Reb/G.....Asst/G........FG%......3pt%
Bowen Born (UNI).............31.1....11.2...........2.6...... ..... 2.4.........39.5%.....38.1% *Bowen Born was MVC Freshman of the Year
Rienk Mast (BU)................27.8....10.1...........6.5.... ........1.4..........50.7%.....37.1%
Sheldon Edwards (VU).....23.5......8.4............2.7........... 1.5..........38.2%.....32.6%
Kyler Filewich (SIU)..........23.6......7.6............5.9............1.8..........50.5%......0.0%
Nate Heise (UNI)...............31.9......7.7............3.3.. ..........1.0.........38.7%.....27.1%


I might have voted for a different FOY :)
Click to expand...

Born got off to such a great start in the pre-MVC games, while Mast struggled. I think that captured the fancy of the voters while Mast was forgotten. Once Mast found his groove he was a steady leader without a lot of flash and pizzazz. Unfortunately, that doesn't get appreciated as much nowadays.
 
PhiAlphaBoy said:
Born got off to such a great start in the pre-MVC games, while Mast struggled. I think that captured the fancy of the voters while Mast was forgotten. Once Mast found his groove he was a steady leader without a lot of flash and pizzazz. Unfortunately, that doesn't get appreciated as much nowadays.
Click to expand...

Also, Rienk was not placed into the starting lineup until the games at Northern Iowa on January 10 & 11 because of the injury to Ari Boya.
Rienk came off the bench in the first 9 games, and averaged only 17 minutes per game. As a starter over the last 18 games, he averaged 28 minutes per game.
 
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