Owasso’s Jalen Montonati was named the Gatorade’s Oklahoma Boys Basketball Player of the Year Thursday morning. Montonati is the first sophomore to win the award.
The 6-7 Montonati averaged 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists to lead the Rams to their first-ever state title. He is Owasso’s first Gatorade winner since Shake Milton in consecutive years in 2014 and 2015.
Jalen Montonati was the 6A state tournament’s leading scorer and MVP with 66 points in three games, including 34 in the overtime final against Edmond North. He also led the Tournament of Champions in scoring with 92 points in three games.
The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character.
Last week, Norman junior Keeley Parks was named Gatorade’s state girls player of the year. Parks led Norman to a 17-10 record and within one win of reaching the 6A state tournament. She averaged 26.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 5.6 steals.