Player: Sophie Montana
Class: 2028
School: NW Guilford
Lady Phenom continues its coverage around the state of North Carolina, and you may have missed a commitment from a premier prospect in the state. 2028 PG Sophie Montana from NW Guilford announced her commitment to stay within the region and commit to Wofford, a program that offered her back in eighth grade and has been persistent throughout her recruitment.
We went 1-on-1 with her to talk about her decision, more about her game, and what she can provide to the program down the road. Last season as a sophomore, Montana averaged 16.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in leading the Vikings. See what she had to say
Lady Phenom: What went into your decision to make Wofford the place for you?
Montana: Honestly, I was looking for a school that had both high academics and a style of basketball that would allow me to contribute to a program. The school definitely checked the box for what I was looking for academically—Has high academic standards and strong programs. As for the basketball, the culture of Wofford’s program speaks for itself. Every visit I went on there, every practice, every game, the coaching staff always focused on knowing the player for who they were beyond the court. They got to know me on a deeper level. I had been speaking to their staff since 8th grade. I spent time reading books and discussing them with the assistant Trent Bunn. Our conversations weren’t always about basketball, but my interests outside of it. Obviously they were my first offer—as a small guard, the recruiting process is hard, but they never doubted me. It didn’t hurt that they also sat front row at every travel game (no matter where I was) and came to my HS games when they could.
Lady Phenom: What did it mean to you with them being your first offer and staying with you throughout?
Montana: Honestly, I can’t express just how amazing that feeling is. I love the game of basketball, but let’s be honest, everyone has ups and downs or at times underperforms. So the fact that they always saw past those moments of my imperfections and consistently saw value in me as a player and a person really displays their understanding of the game. Their feedback was always thoughtful as well—consistently helping me grow as a player. So to be able to be here over two years after that initial offer and know that they still see me being a tremendous piece of their program fills me up and drives me to want to keep working.
Lady Phenom: How would you best describe your game and what you can provide?
Montana: I’m a true facilitating point guard (kind of a lost art)—I direct all the traffic…a true extension of the coach on the floor. Obviously I provide what my team needs—I find the hot hand, I become the hot hand if they need me to be (can shoot the 3 at a high percentage, have really developed my midrange, and will create for my teammates). My ultimate goal is to be my teammates in positions where they can be successful. As for on the defensive end of the floor, I am tasked with guarding the other team’s best guard. And that’s an area where my game has grown. This year on the 16U Adidas circuit with the Southeast Allstars, I guarded multiple players with P4 offers and limited their scoring and playmaking. My AAU Coach and HS Coach would say I’m a relentless dog on defense.
Lady Phenom: What will your focus now be on with your decision behind you?
Montana: Getting better and challenging the people around me to do the same! The grind never stops. I love the 5:45 am workouts! Preparing for a successful HS season—excited to be playing with my younger sister who will be a freshman at NW Guilford. And then just working on the things that are going to allow me to contribute when I get to Wofford—getting stronger, getting faster (I work with Will Bradley Sports Performance for this and have been since 6th grade).