You always hear about kids having offense-ready games for Division I basketball, but what about defense? That’s what’s so intriguing about Cowley County Community College guard/forward Montrell McDonald. The 6-foot-6 McDonald is a sophomore for the Tigers, who are opening their season tonight in Bethany, Okla., against Southern Nazarene JV. McDonald, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, began his college career at George Washington University, the seventh man on a team that was ranked in the Top 10 for most of the year. In 20 games with the Colonials, McDonald averaged 4.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13.1 minutes. He added 12 steals and five blocks, but also 28 turnovers and 38 fouls.
What does it all mean? I asked McDonald, who is being recruited by K-State.
1. Where do you stand with K-State and why? Who else is in the picture? When is a decision coming?
I’m interested in them, but I haven’t made any decisions yet. Oregon, Kansas, Colorado, Miami and Iowa. .. I haven’t been up there yet, but I plan on going up. Our season begins tonight, so I’ll probably go up at the end of the year. (J-Mart question: So that’s when you’re going to make a decision?) Yes.
2. Impressions of Frank Martin and the staff?
My impression, from the conversations I’ve had, is he’s a great guy, someone who is ready to help you move on and be successful.
3. Why did you leave George Washington?
I was a little homesick, going through a lot of personal problems. (J-Mart note: Cowley coach Steve Eck said McDonald was concerned about his ailing grandmother, whose condition has improved.) I was going through things where it wasn’t the place for me. (Coach Karl Hobbs) is a good guy, but at the time. … That was a great team to be a part of.
4. Coach Eck said you weren’t like anyone he’s coached in his 31 years on the bench, but he also said that he’s heard others compare you to Stacey Augmon, the former UNLV star known for his defense. Do you know who that is, and is that accurate? Or is it just one of those things because you’re both thin, athletic and left-handed?
I’ve heard about him, but I don’t know him personally. I’ve seen a few of his highlights. (J-Mart question: Are you similar?) Yeah, we’re similar. I just play hard on both ends of the court. I like to get out on the break and do whatever it takes to help the team win.
5. This is a little weird, but bear with me. How would you stop Montrell McDonald? What are your strengths and weaknesses, and how would you, as a defender, attack each?
I might play off a little bit, but it depends on certain situations. If I hit a few shots, I might sag. If I missed a few, I’d be up. Usually, I’m up on someone if I don’t know what they’ve got. Most schools are excited more about what I can do on the defensive end. They know with hard work I can get there on offense.
(BONUS) 6. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? One thing not a lot of people are aware of?
I watch “Walker, Texas Ranger.” (Laughter) When I was younger, I always hung around elderly people and they were watching it, so I did. I watch it with my coach now. (More laughter).
ALSO
- Eck said McDonald sat out last season. He attended Redlands (Okla.) Community College in the second semester, where Eck was coaching, but did not play basketball. As for McDonald’s decision to leave GWU, Eck said, “Sometimes you go too far from home right out of high school.”
- According to the coach, McDonald is “very quick. He can guard, and his jump shot is getting better and better. … He’s a solid guy on the court. He’ll go out there and play hard all of the time. When he goes hard, he’s pretty darn good.” McDonald is viewed as a leader instantly, Eck said, because he has played Division I basketball already. “He knows what it takes to get there,” the coach said. “He’s liked by his teammates. He’s not a bad kid. He’s a good kid.”
- The entire K-State coaching staff is involved in McDonald’s recruitment, Eck said.
10 Comments
J-Mart, you really, really oversold this one.
I don’t know what’s worse: that this is big recruiting news for KSU or that our ENTIRE staff is involved on a guy who averaged 4.4 points a game.
I didn’t oversell anything. Go back and read what I wrote. I said I’d have some interesting things in the coming days. I had another feature I was planning on introducing, but it didn’t materialize. This was originally supposed to be a supplement, but again, something else fell through. If I oversold, I apologize. I promise not to tease anything in the future. Everything will be a surprise. Agreed?
J-Mart, you just can’t win with some of these people. I mean, nevermind that you said “the next couple days have the potential to be interesting” which of course means “the greatest recruiting news in history the very next day all the time”, or that you are doing far more leg work than any other beat writer out there. I guess some people just love to complain about the defense or anything they can get their hands on.
Now, don’t be that way J-Mart. You still need to bait the hook, just don’t use solid freakin’ gold worms. And now for another metaphor…please continue to the updates because your competition sucks hind tit.
I think Pete’s just disappointed, not in your output, just that the ‘08 recruiting class is going to be a huge failure. I think anything short of a Wes Witherspoon commitment will always be a disappointment. Again, not your fault, you’re just letting us in on the news.
J-Mart, ‘K-Stated’ absolutely rules! Keep up the great work!
J-Mart, do you think Steve Dave is the best question asker? Levi thinks so. If question asking was a D1 sport, would steve dave get an in home from Frank and the entire coaching staff?
I still want to know who wins in a knife fight, O.J. or Ray Lewis?
I enjoyed the article. I think that nothing was oversold. Obviously, you people don’t only KNOW information on who is and isnt a hot player, ONLY after they have been signed. Montrell McDonald is one of the BEST Junior College players to play the game. Dont judge hime off, 4.4 points a game his FRESHMAN year, when he WASNT even a STARTER…if you want to judge him, why dont you base your opinion off his 13.2 points a game, is 5.13 rebouds, his 3.7 assist and his 2.5 steals a game. Montrell Mcdonald WOULD be doing KANSAS STATE a favor by even showing them interest. If he chose to attend this school, he would be ONE OF the Greatest players to step foot in Bramlage along with beasley and walker. He is definitely OVERLOOKED..by most people, but He definitely doesnt mind because he’s not about personal recorded or how many points he scores. Hes a gamer, he makes things happen, he sticks out like a sore thumb. You cant help, but to be amazed. Cowley County for the first time in 50 year are nationally ranked in the top 10, with a record of 29-2 right now, and actually have a chance to COMPETE at nationals…but I guess a guy who averaged 4.4 pts a game at GW has nothing to do with this…I enjoyed this article and thing you should continue to keep up with him.