Six former DCTC basketball players competing at four-year schools
The following post was originally published on GoBlueKnights.com January 6, 2025.
New Chapters: DCTC Athletes Taking Their Game to the Next Level
Blue Knights men’s basketball proud to highlight six former players continuing to play at four-year level
By Peter Olafeso
DCTC Head Basketball Coach
Manny Montgomery
Manny Montgomery is in his junior season at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He had an exceptional basketball career at DCTC. A graduate of Jefferson High School, he played for the DCTC Blue Knights for two seasons, including the shortened COVID-19 season, earning recognition for his scoring ability, athleticism, and leadership on the court.
Career highlights
Points: Averaged more than 20 points per game during his collegiate career, including an impressive 28.1 PPG in his final season (2023–2024).
Efficiency: Showed consistent improvement with a career-high 56.8 percent field goal shooting his senior year.
Rebounding and Playmaking: Balanced his scoring prowess with 9.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in his final season.
Accolades:
- NJCAA 1st team All-America
- Named to the NJCAA Division II Region 13 All-Region Team twice
- North District MVP
- Earned NJCAA DII Player of the Week honors in 2024
Manny Montgomery’s performance elevated the DCTC Blue Knights and made him a standout player in NJCAA basketball. He is the all-time leader in points with 1,548. His contributions on and off the court highlighted his dedication and skill, leaving a legacy at DCTC.
Manny’s University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs page
Learn more about Manny Montgomery by reading his DCTC News story:
Student-Athlete Spotlight: Manny Montgomery
Manny Montgomey Blue Knights gallery
Janeir Harris
Janeir Harris, a 6’5″ forward from Burnsville, Minnesota, had a notable basketball career at DCTC. An Apple Valley High School graduate, Harris played for the DCTC Blue Knights during the 2021–2022 season.
2021–2022 Season (sophomore)
Games played: 29
Points per game: 16.6
Field goal percentage: 52.7%
Three-point percentage: 31.4%
Rebounds per game: 6.4
Janeir Harris consistently performed throughout the season, contributing significantly to the team’s success. One of his standout moments was a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, which secured a Region 13 Championship over United Tribes Technical College.
After his tenure at DCTC, Harris transferred to the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) to continue his basketball career. In the 2022–2023 season, he appeared in 21 games, averaging 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He had a season-high 15 points against Missouri S&T and scored the game-winning basket in a victory over West Texas A&M. He is currently in his final season at USML.
Harris’s journey from DCTC to UMSL showcases his development as a player and his commitment to the sport.
Janeir’s University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) Tritons page
Janeir Harris Blue Knights gallery
Jeremy Wanguhu
Jeremy Wanguhu, a 6’2″ guard from Bloomington, Minnesota, is currently in his junior season at the University of Wisconsin River–Falls. A graduate of Jefferson High School, he played for the DCTC Blue Knights during the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons.
2023–2024 Season (sophomore)
Minutes per game: 30.6
Points per game: 16.0
Three-point percentage: 33.3%
Free throw percentage: 81.6%
Rebounds per game: 5.2
Assists per game: 4.0
Jeremy Wanguhu’s performance showed significant improvement between his freshman and sophomore years, particularly in scoring, playmaking, and minutes played. His contributions were instrumental in the Blue Knights’ backcourt during his tenure at DCTC.
Following his successful stint at DCTC, Wanguhu transferred to the University of Wisconsin–River Falls (UWRF) to continue his basketball career. Wanguhu’s journey reflects his dedication to basketball and his continuous development as a player, transitioning from junior college to a university-level program.
Jeremy’s University of Wisconsin–River Falls (UWRF) Falcons page
Jeremy Wanguhu Blue Knights gallery
Malik Spearman
Malik Spearman, a 6’5″ forward from West St. Paul, Minnesota, had a significant impact during his basketball career at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC). A Two Rivers High School graduate, he played for the DCTC Blue Knights during the 2021–2022 season.
2021–2022 Season (sophomore)
Games played: 30
Games started: 29
Minutes per game: 27.4
Points per game: 12.0
Field goal percentage: 47.8%
Rebounds per game: 8.9
Assists per game: 2.9
Spearman’s performance was instrumental in the Blue Knights’ success during the season, showcasing his abilities as a reliable scorer and a dominant presence on the boards. After DCTC, Spearman continued his basketball career at Dean College, where he was listed as a 6’5″ center for the 2022–2023 season.
Spearman’s journey reflects his dedication to basketball and his continuous development as a player, transitioning from junior college to a university-level program. He is currently in his final year at Concordia University St. Paul.
Malik’s Dean College Bulldogs page
Malik’s Concordia University St. Paul Golden Bears page
Malik Spearman Blue Knights gallery
Keenan Jones
Keenan Jones, a 6’5″ guard from Chicago, Illinois, had a notable basketball career at DCTC during the 2022–2023 season.
2022–2023 Season at DCTC
Games played: 26
Minutes per game: 26.0
Points per game: 12.7
Three-point percentage: 30.4%
Free throw percentage: 55.6%
Rebounds per game: 5.2
Steals per game: 1.3
Jones’s performance was instrumental in the Blue Knights’ success during the season. A highlight of his tenure was scoring 24 points in a victory over Dakota College at Bottineau, contributing significantly to the team’s advancement to the Region 13 Championship game.
After his time at DCTC, Jones transferred to Missouri Valley College, where he continued his basketball career. In the 2023–2024 season, he played in 29 games, starting 24, and averaged 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 38.2% and a three-point percentage of 32.4
Keenan’s Missouri Valley College Vikings page
Keenan Jones Blue Knights gallery
Ousseynou Ngom
Ousseynou Ngom is in his final year at . During the 2022-23 season at DCTC, He significantly impacted the basketball court. He provided solid minutes for the team, contributing on both ends of the floor. He is one of the most versatile players in school history.
Here are some highlights of his DCTC career:
Games Played: 26
Playing Time: 25.6
Rebounds per Game: 6.2
Three-Point Percentage: 50%
Block per Game: 2.1
Ngom’s performance at DCTC helped him develop further as a player, and he ultimately transferred to Valley City State University (VCSU) in North Dakota.
Ousseynou’s Valley City State University Vikings (VCSU) page
Ousseynou Ngom Blue Knights gallery
About the author…
Peter Olafeso is entering his sixth year as the head basketball coach at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC). Coach Olafeso has been with the basketball program nine years. He started his coaching career at Park High School as a freshman and assistant varsity coach.
In 2020, Coach Olafeso accepted the position of interim head coach at DCTC. During his first season as head coach, he led the Blue Knights to a 21–10 record. The team won the NJCAA Region 13 and North Plain District championships, earning a spot at the 2020–2021 NJCAA DII National Tournament. During the 2021–2022 season and Olafeso’s third year as head coach, the Blue Knights finished 20–10 overall with an eight place finish at the 2021–22 NJCAA DII National Tournament.
Prior to his coaching career, Coach Olafeso was an outstanding basketball player at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and Concordia University, St. Paul. At MCTC, he was an All-Conference, All-State, All-Region, and All-Tournament performer as well as a key member of the 33–2 national runner-up team. In 2023, Olafeso was named Region 13 Coach of the Year and the Blue Knights took home the Region 13 Championship.
At Concordia, Olafeso was named the newcomer of the year, and he made the All-Conference Team twice. He graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul with a B.A. in Sports Management. He recently completed an M.S. in Coaching and Athletic Administration at Concordia.
DCTC basketball is 4–13 as of January 14, 2025. The Blue Knights play their next home game against the Gogebic Community College Samsons (6–8) Monday, January 20, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Jonathan Brown serves as the team’s assistant coach. Home games are played in the Activities building gym on the Inver Hills Community College campus in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
Head Coach Peter Olafeso Blue Knights gallery
Learn more about NJCAA athletics at DCTC by visiting:
GoBlueKnights.com
Learn more about NJCAA DII basketball at DCTC by contacting:
Peter Olafeso
Head Basketball Coach
Dakota County Technical College
651-423-8675
peter.olafeso@dctc.edu