Ryan Montgomery’s transformation into a complete player during his senior season at Lee University has helped the Flames achieve unprecedented recognition.
It also should make Montgomery a leading contender when Gulf South Conference men’s basketball coaches vote on their league’s player of the year.
The former Central High School star helped propel Lee to a second-place finish in the GSC regular season and into the Division II rankings for the first time in program history. After providing a dominant post presence by shooting 64% on 2-point attempts and averaging 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds as a junior in 2018-19, the 6-foot-6, 210-pound Montgomery has added to his game in major ways.
“Last year I shot a lot of midrange shots and had a lot of success around the basket,” Montgomery said. “So I knew most teams this year were going to game plan for that and sag off me. I had to extend my game behind the 3-point line.
“It’s taken a lot of gym time and reps. Over the summer I was in the gym almost every day working on my shot and ball handling. By doing that, it made my game a lot better and easier.”