Jalen Montonati, a dynamic 6-foot-7 small forward from Owasso High School (OK), has firmly established himself as one of the nation’s elite prospects. Ranked inside the Top 25 nationally for the Class of 2026, Montonati is scheduled to begin his first official visit to Kansas State University starting Monday, June 30—a milestone that underscores the Wildcats’ significant traction in his recruitment ([si.com][1]).
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## 🌟 Rise to Stardom
Montonati’s trajectory has been nothing short of impressive. As a sophomore, he claimed the **Gatorade Oklahoma Boys Basketball Player of the Year** award, securing average stats of 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.0 block per game while leading Owasso to its first-ever state title. These performances culminated in a dominant 34-point showing in the Class 6A title game ([newson6.com][2]).
In his junior year, he didn’t slow down—posting averages of 23.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, earning both the **MaxPreps Oklahoma Player of the Year** and **Shelter Insurance Mr. Basketball** honors, cementing his status as Oklahoma’s premier high school player ([maxpreps.com][3]).
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## Skill Set & Basketball IQ
Montonati has evolved into a versatile, three-level scorer. He’s improved his ball-handling and playmaking, and added roughly 7–10 pounds of strength since the end of last season—making him a more all-around threat ([on3.com][4]). During the Nike EYBL Session 1, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game for Mokan Elite, including a scorching 24-point outing featuring five 3-pointers .
He models his game on NBA talent; combining Klay Thompson’s shooting precision with Jayson Tatum’s mental toughness and two-way versatility—traits that have earned him comparisons to both stars ([si.com][5]).
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## Recruitment Landscape
Montonati holds over 20 Division I offers, including heavy hitters such as Kansas, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Louisville, BYU, Alabama, Arkansas, Houston, Michigan, Indiana, Baylor, Kentucky, UConn, Duke, and Villanova ([si.com][1]). He’s been ranked between No. 18 to No. 23 nationally, and he’s also Oklahoma’s top-rated recruit for 2026 ([on3.com][4]).
Unofficial visits to Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and more recently Kansas State, have given him a first-hand look at what each program offers ([on3.com][4]).
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## Why Kansas State?
Montonati has emphasized culture, coach-player relationships, and development as key decision factors. He is particularly drawn to Kansas State’s coaching staff—head coach Jerome Tang and assistant Rodney Perry, whose ties to the MoKan program have been influential since Montonati’s freshman year ([on3.com][6]).
In his previous comments, he highlighted Coach Tang’s charisma, passion, and vision, along with the staff’s commitment to “family-atmosphere” and preparing players for the NBA ([on3.com][6]).
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## The Official Visit Experience
From June 30, Montonati will spend several days on Kansas State’s Manhattan campus evaluating its basketball program, training facilities, academic environment, and campus community. For the Wildcats, this visit represents a crucial opportunity to reinforce their position over rivals like Kansas, who have long been in the fold with Montonati .
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## What’s Next?
Montonati plans to finalize his decision before the start of his senior season, tentatively narrowing his list post–Peach Jam and possibly announcing in the fall . As he continues through a summer of EYBL competition and additional visits, Kansas State’s official visit could prove pivotal in tipping the scales.
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## Impact for Kansas State
Securing Montonati—one of the nation’s top forwards—would be a seismic win for Kansas State, boosting their national profile and providing a versatile 6-foot-7 forward capable of scoring inside and out. He factors as both an immediate contributor and long-term NBA prospect, aligning with K-State’s vision of steady success and player development.
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## Conclusion
Jalen Montonati’s rising star, decorated high school résumé, and growing list of offers have turned him into one of the most watched recruits in the nation. His upcoming official visit to Kansas State, motivated by culture, coaching relationships, and development promises, could define both his college destination and the trajectory of the Wildcats’ next recruiting class. With Montonati’s decision expected before his senior season, all eyes will be on Manhattan as this pivotal visit unfolds.