Forward Montgomery returns to Division I basketball at CMU
After getting out of postgraduate school at Mount Zion Prep in Baltimore, Maryland, Robert Montgomery joined St. Francis Brooklyn, a Division I program in the Northeast Conference.
Scoring 5.2 points per game as a freshman, Montgomery transferred to Indian Hills Community College for his sophomore season.
Now, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound small forward is back playing Division I basketball as a transfer to Central Michigan.
“Central Michigan is a great fit for me,” Montgomery said. “The coaches seem like really good guys and the team seems unselfish. The style of play fits me and I just felt comfortable when I was on campus with the coaches and the guys.”
Along with pouring in 5.2 points per game, Montgomery averaged 4.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game for St. Francis. For Indian Hills as a sophomore, he played in 34 games, averaging 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per contest.
Indian Hills finished 33-0 and No. 1 in the national rankings last season.
"We are excited to have Rob as a part of our CMU basketball family," said CMU head coach Keno Davis. "Rob gives us a front-court presence with an ability to impact the game with his skill and toughness."
Before going to postgraduate school at Mount Zion Prep, Montgomery played for Watkins Mills High School from freshman to junior year. He finished his high school career at Takoma Academy in Maryland.
Montgomery will be a junior next fall and is eligible to play immediately in. the 2018-19 season for the Chippewas.
CMU assistant coach Kyle Gerdeman was the primary recruiter for Montgomery during his time at Indian Hills, which is located in Ottumwa, Iowa.
“We talked a lot and we were able to build a pretty good relationship,” Montgomery said.
Head coach Keno Davis’ play style also played a contributing role in bring Montgomery to CMU. He said Davis “really lets his guys play their game within his offense.”
One of CMU’s latest transfer was guard Shawn Roundtree Jr. from Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri. In the 2017-18 season as a junior, Roundtree averaged 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Since being in Mount Pleasant for a season, Roundtree is now helping other future Chippewas, like Montgomery, get accustomed to the atmosphere surrounding CMU basketball.
“I only got to spend time with the team for the short time I was there on my visit,” Montgomery said. “Shawn Roundtree was my host on the visit, so I spent a good amount of time with him.”
Even though Montgomery is new to the Maroon and Gold, he has the same goals as many – a Mid-American Conference title.
“I’m excited about everything, but especially a chance to compete for a MAC championship,” Montgomery said.
Earlier this week, Davis brought in guard Larry Austin Jr., a graduate transfer from Vanderbilt.
