The Big Interview: Jett Montgomery
In this article:
Mid-May I talked with Jett Montgomery Jett Montgomery 6'1" | PG Independence | 2024 State TN over the phone. Jett is a player that I only heard about online through postgame tweets, as I watched Independence High at most one game. For a freshman to enjoy as much success as Jett did, it was clear that he was a player PrepHoopsTN needed to learn more about. I was excited to talk with him. This is the full interview.
Follow Jett Montgomery Jett Montgomery 6'1" | PG Independence | 2024 State TN .
I noticed you have a 601 phone number. Are you from Mississippi originally?
Yes. Gulfport, Mississippi. I moved to Tennessee when I was 3 (years old).
Do you ever get back to Gulfport?
Not recently.
You play for Independence and played a lot as a freshman.
Yes, I was like the sixth man to start the year and then began starting.
How many games did you play off the bench and when did you start starting?
Probably 7 or 8. Something like that.
Did coach make a big deal about starting you?
I was doing really good in practice and I had a couple big games. It wasnt a big deal, but he said I was starting.
How did you feel when he said that?
I was really pumped. I was really excited. At the beginning of the year I was on the ninth grade team and moved up to the JV. My goal at the beginning of the year was to start on varsity.
You thought you could play varsity even though you were on ninth grade team?
I just knew I could outwork all of them. During the summer I worked out 5-6 hours everyday. I was outworking all of them, defense and offense. I had to win everything, sprints everything. If I did that, then I knew I could start.
Did you follow this HS when you were growing up?
Originally I was supposed to go to Summit because that was where my mom taught. When I was seventh grade year I went to some Indy games because I knew I was going there.
Does she teach at Summit?
No, she moved to Indy.
What did you think of them when you watched them in seventh grade?
In seventh grade, it seemed like they were a lot bigger and it was hard for me to get there. Once I started working, I thought they are just humans too and I could get there.
How did you decide on an AAU team?
I think when I was I in fourth grade, I went on the team and I have played with them ever since. They have been a really good team and they are Christian-based.
Coach @jefflaidig 2024 STARS with 66-60 WIN vs talented 1Family in @OTRHoops Rocky Top! @jettmont1 29 pts.; @NicHyche 12 pts; @evangainer5 10 pts. @OntheRadarHoops @DrKrisWatkins @Tnprephoops pic.twitter.com/SNaztNgyK8
— STARS Basketball Club (@StarsBballClub) May 16, 2021
Actually at the beginning of the season I was on varsity. In the summer I moved to the varsity team and then I moved up. At the beginning of the season I was like the seventh man.
You had a really good season statistically, right?
I didn’t start the first couple games, but I had a game at Mt. Juliet where I scored 26. People trusted me and I got the ball in my hands more.
What is your role on the team now and going forward?
Going forward I am probably going to be the leader on the team. From last year everybody is coming back, so we have a really good chance to go far in the tournament. I am going to be the best player on the team and I am going to have to be the leader.
Do you feel like you were not outspoken this year because you were a freshman?
There were a couple seniors. They didn’t play as much, but they were our leaders.
What are your goals with basketball?
My goals are to play college basketball and then play pro basketball.
Do you have any relatives that played college sports of any kind?
Yes, my bad played football for Southern Miss with Brett Favre and my mom played college softball and basketball at William Carey (MS).
Have you heard from or visited to any colleges at this early point?
I have been talking to the assistant at Lipscomb and went to some camps at UAH. I am going to Belmont, Murray State, and Southern Miss and MTSU this summer.
I love the UAH coach. He does well recruiting Tennessee.
I went to their camp. He is an awesome guy. My trainer knows them really well. Tyrone Bailey. He trained like Giddy Potts. He trains me.
You are playing 15u right now?
Yes (Stars Nashville). But I am also playing 17u with my trainer’s team. It is called League Ready. We are all the guys that train with him.
When you do pick a college, who will you ask and tell?
My dad. My mom. My grandfather too. He has coached a ton of basketball in Mississippi and also Tyrone too. He has played college basketball and been around it. And my high school coach (Mark Wilkins).
What is his name?
We just hired him this year. He is a different coach than I had last season. I am really excited. His dad is also a legendary coach.
Where did your grandfather coach in Mississippi?
Purvis and a ton of high schools. He won two state championships and like 700 games, all girls basketball.
Highlights?
I had 43 point game with my AAU team. It was for League Ready. We played PSB and beat them, but it wasn’t there top team. They were pretty good though.