NBA Future Watch: Jean Montero Basketball Cards, Prospect – Jean Montero’s quest to make it to the NBA has taken many twists and turns. It now has brought him full circle back to the Dominican Republic. As he resolves his visa issues and helps his national team qualify for the FIBA World Cup, Montero is applying lessons learned to achieve the high upside that placed him on the NBA radar years ago.
Montero’s initial basketball hoop was fashioned out of out of bicycle wheels. That served as a predictor of the creativity that he would show on the court. His desire to succeed on the hardcourt was fueled by visions of Kobe Bryant during the 2010 NBA Finals. Like his idol, Montero came to the United States to make his mark. But before that point, Montero made his mark as one of the youngest players on the court for the Dominican Republic’s teams at the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship and the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup.
In 2018, Montero attended DME Academy in Daytona Beach, FL, averaging 20 points and eight rebounds per game. Montero also suited up for NightRydas Elite at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Under-15 division. Subsequently, he competed in the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship and the Basketball Without Borders Americas camp. At that event, Montero earned MVP honors despite again, being younger than his peers. Montero also found his way to MVP honors at the Valencia Tournament, where he led Gran Canaria’s Under-18 team to the championship with 30 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in the title game.
MVP honors again accrued to Montero in Round 21 in the LEB Plata for Gran Canaria in March 2021. That fall, Montero joined Overtime Elite. He led OTE with 16.9 PPG, also posting 6.1 RPG, 4.7 APG and 3.4 SPG.
Notwithstanding Montero’s eye-watering numbers, some regression in his shooting with OTE and an injury that interrupted his performance at the combine surprisingly led him to move through the 2022 NBA Draft untouched. However, as Montero reestablishes himself as a scorer, he has the foundation of being a good free-throw shooter and previously, a strong shooter all over the court. Montero has strong skills at point guard, but could bulk up a bit while being sure not to sacrifice athleticism. His potential for stardom has never been questioned. Yet, it will be what he does against elevated competition at the World Cup this summer that will allow him to be a highly sought-after free agent.
NBA Future Watch: Jean Montero – Stats
Statistical image generated on Overtime Elite 02/13/2023.
NBA Future Watch: Jean Montero Basketball Cards, Prospect – More Resources
- 2021-22 Topps Chrome Overtime Elite Basketball Cards Checklist
- Beckett Card Catalog
- Secondary Market Pricing
- Overtime Elite Player Profile
NBA Future Watch: Jean Montero Basketball Cards, Prospect – Image Gallery
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