Sophomore guard makes NJCAA DII Region 13 All-Region Team
Manny Montgomery, 21, a sophomore guard on the Dakota County Technical College Blue Knights basketball team, was named to the NJCAA Division II Region 13 All-Region Team for the 2023–2024 season. Manny finished the season second in points per game and third in total points in NJCAA DII play.
Manny was also named NJCAA DII Player of the Week (first week in January 2024), having averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two wins over Bay College and Gogebic Community College. He shot an efficient 22 for 37 (59 percent) from the floor, 5 for 6 (83 percent) from three-point range, and 18 for 22 (81 percent) from free throw line.
“DCTC will always be home and there will be no place like it. As long as I live, I will never forget what it means to be a Blue Knight!”
Manny Montgomery
Blue Knights Basketball Player
Exercise & Sport Science Major
Dakota County Technical College
“I want to thank God for allowing me to come back and be a better player than I was before,” Manny said. “I also want to thank my parents for being there every step of the way. I appreciate the support from my family members, my coaches for believing in me and my abilities to come back and do what they know I can do, and my teammates for allowing me to go out there and lead them every night!”
Manny also thanked the entire DCTC campus community: student body, staff, and teachers. “I will never forget the support you guys have given me,” he said, “and last but certainly not least, I want to thank Olivia Weinberg. Her love and support is definitely a huge piece as to why I was very successful, and how she believed in me was just another reason to go that much harder. DCTC will always be home and there will be no place like it. As long as I live, I will never forget what it means to be a Blue Knight!”
In the 2021–2022 season, Manny was named NJCAA Region 13 MVP, and he made First Team All American. Starting in 2020, he played three seasons with the Blue Knights with one season shortened due to the COVID pandemic. Manny was injured at the 2022 NJCAA D2 National Tournament.
Head Coach Peter Olafeso reported that Manny made tremendous contributions to the Blue Knights both on and off the court.
“Players like Manny are rare find,” Coach Olafeso said. “He is an extremely talented basketball player, but an even better human being. Last season, while Manny was rehabbing from ACL surgery for an injury he suffered at the NJCAA DII National Tournament, I was impressed with how involved he was with the team. He took on more of a coaching role—and excelled at it.”
Coach Olafeso added that Manny exceeded all expectations this season.
“Manny is the team’s all-time leader in many statistical categories,” he said. “He averaged 28.1 points per game—second in the nation—while shooting an astounding 56.8 percent from field. I am excited to see what the future holds for him.”
Blue Knights basketball 2023–2024 season wrap-up
The Blue Knights NJCAA DII basketball team finished the 2023–2024 season with a 16–11 record. The team averaged 83.4 points, 40.7 rebounds, and 17.6 assists per game with a 46.5 field goal percentage.
“This year’s roster had the potential for a promising season with the return of Manny Montgomery and Ronelle Porter (5’7 sophomore guard), along with the key additions of Devin Newsome (NDSCS transfer) and Simeon Sharp (CSP St. Paul transfer),” Coach Peter Olafeso said. “Unfortunately, we dealt with many inconsistencies due to grades and injuries. We struggled in the first half of the season—at one point, we were 2–5.
“We found some rhythm in the second half of the season, going 11–3 to finish the year thanks to high-level performances by Manny Montgomery and Jeremy Wanguhu (6’1 sophomore guard). Both players accounted for 50 percent of our total points and rebounds. They both showed outstanding leadership throughout the season and were vital to us having another winning season.”
This year was Coach Olafeso’s fifth season as the team’s head coach. He served as interim head coach in 2020, posting a 21–10 record highlighted by Region 13 and North Plain District championships.
The basketball team completed the 2021–2022 season with a 20–10 record and an 8th place finish at the NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship.
More about Manny Montgomery…
Originally from Bloomington, Minnesota, Manny graduated from Jefferson High School, Class of 2020. He is earning a Transfer Pathway A.S. in Exercise & Sport Science at DCTC and is on track to graduate this summer.
Manny is looking forward to transferring to a four-year school where he will continue playing basketball while earning a bachelor’s degree.
“I want to play pro ball in the NBA,” he said. “It has been my dream since I can remember. My backup is physical therapy or athletic training.”
Manny’s family includes his mom, Yolanda, his dad, Richard, his two sisters, Reisha and Kamrey, and his dog, Mocha. In his free time, he enjoys hanging with his family and friends.
“We love to eat, so we go and try new restaurants like everyday,” he said. “I do play video games sometimes, but not nearly as much as I used to. I watch a lot of basketball—I’m a student of the game. And sometimes I just like to chill by myself and just relax.”
Manny resides in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Manny Montgomery • Q & A
What is your favorite memory from your time playing basketball for the Blue Knights?
Probably going to battle with my guys every night. Also the practices—they weren’t always how we liked it, but I wouldn’t change a thing. There were so many memories and funny moments that I can’t just pick one.
What advice would you give high school students thinking about playing NJCAA basketball?
That it isn’t whatever you think it is. JUCO (junior college) teaches discipline, the will to work, and get where you want and need to be by any means necessary. If you’re not willing to work hard and get through the dog days and go through the adversities it brings, then it’s not for you.
But it is also very fun. I have met some of my best friends here that are in my circle for life. You make some really great memories with the people you meet because you go through the adversities with them.
So my advice to you guys is develop a work ethic before you get here because it isn’t easy, and be in and cherish every moment because you will one day look back on them and you don’t want any regrets.
What traits and abilities do you need to be a successful college basketball player?
You have to have a work ethic. Talent is only going to take you so far—it is the work you put in outside of practice on your own time that gets you results.
You have to be a coachable player. If coaches feel like they can’t coach you, you will be cut. It’s that simple.
You have to be selfless. It isn’t about you, or the next person, but the name on the front of your jersey, and if you aren’t playing for that, then why do you play?
Lastly you have to have that DAWG in you. There are thousands of people out in the world fighting for a spot just like you, people that can do what you do and some better than you. What is going to separate you from the rest? Something has to and you need that DAWG to compete every night, that attitude as an individual and a team that you won’t be stopped on any night.
Three words that describe you as a basketball player:
PASSIONATE. SELFLESS. HARDWORKING.
What is your favorite NBA team and why?
I like players not teams because people switch teams so much, but I will root for the Wolves because it’s home
Who is your all-time favorite NBA basketball player and why?
Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. I just love how they play the game. They are very entertaining, very smart, and high IQ basketball players, and you can learn a lot from them.
What do you like best about attending DCTC?
The people. Such a warm welcoming environment where everyone wants you to succeed and see you do good in school and life
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
My parents—to see how hard they’ve worked makes me want to work even harder to be great in life.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
I’d give everyone on Earth super powers.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
MEMORABLE¹
¹ I’ll never forget this place.
Manny Montgomery • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Basketball or football
- Place you would most like to visit: Japan, New York, Paris
- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Went to Nationals, cliff jumping, or paintballing (I love paintballing)
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Give back to my family 2) Buy cars 3) Buy shoes and clothes
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Any Avenger movie
- Time period (past or future) you would explore if you could time travel: Probably back when dinosaurs were a thing
- One thing you most want to accomplish in your life: Make the NBA
- Your national bird if you were your own country: Raven
- Dream occupation: NBA player
- Person you would most like to meet: Kevin Durant
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Learn how to play the piano (been wanting to for a while)
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Unity
Manny Montgomery NIACC game gallery (February 2024)
Manny Montgomery Minnesota North game gallery (January 2024)
Manny Montgomery NDSCS game gallery (November 2023)
Learn more about NJCAA DII basketball at DCTC by contacting:
Peter Olafeso
Head Basketball Coach
Dakota County Technical College
651-423-8675