Ej Montgomery Bio
Efrem Reynard Montgomery Jr., known professionally as E.J. Montgomery, is an American basketball player who currently plays for MKS Dąbrowa Górnicza of the Polish Basketball League (PLK). A power forward listed at 6 ft 10 in and 228 lb, he developed into a respected prospect after a standout prep career and two seasons at the University of Kentucky. Since launching his professional career in 2021, he has competed for clubs in Lithuania, Hungary, Japan, and the United States before continuing his journey in Poland.
Montgomery gained national recognition as a McDonald’s All-American in 2018 and entered the NBA draft process the following spring. After going undrafted in 2020, he has built his professional resume overseas, steadily establishing himself as a versatile forward with rebounding instincts and developing offensive polish.
Early Life and Background
Efrem Reynard Montgomery Jr. was born on September 12, 1999, in Fort Pierce, Florida. He grew up in the same coastal city where he first learned the game, attending Lincoln Park Academy for middle school. By the time he reached the seventh grade, he was already competing at the varsity level at 6 ft 8 in, and as an eighth grader he helped the Greyhounds capture the Florida District 12-4A championship.
He is the son of Efrem and Glenda Montgomery, and he has two sisters, Brittni and Brandy. The family supported his development through several high school moves designed to maximize his exposure to elite competition and top-tier coaching.
Path to Basketball
Montgomery began his high school career at Montverde Academy in Florida, where he spent his freshman and sophomore years playing alongside future NBA star Ben Simmons. He later transferred to Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, for his junior and senior seasons. At Wheeler, he blossomed into one of the top recruits in the country, averaging 25.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
His prep success led to an invitation to the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Game, the signature showcase for the nation’s elite high school players. That spring, on April 9, 2018, he committed to the University of Kentucky, joining a Wildcats program with a long history of producing NBA-caliber big men.
Ej Montgomery Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
As a freshman at Kentucky, Montgomery provided interior depth and showed flashes of his long-term potential. He recorded his first double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds in a win over South Carolina, finishing the season averaging 3.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while adjusting to the pace and physicality of SEC play.
His sophomore year brought a larger role and bigger moments. On December 7, 2019, he scored a career-high 25 points in an 83–52 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson. He also delivered a game-winning tip-in with 11 seconds left in the regular-season finale against Florida. He averaged 6.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game before declaring for the 2020 NBA draft.
Professional Breakthrough (2021–2022)
After going undrafted in 2020, Montgomery signed briefly with the Milwaukee Bucks before being waived on December 17. He quickly pivoted overseas, joining Nevėžis-OPTIBET of the Lithuanian Basketball League on January 4, 2021, marking his first sustained professional opportunity. Later that year, on September 1, he signed with Soproni KC of Hungary’s top division, the Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A.
The two-season stretch in Europe allowed him to refine his skills against grown professionals and adjust to a faster, more physical style of play. By the end of his time at Soproni KC, he had earned a reputation as a hard-working, rebounding-focused forward ready for a bigger stage.
Aomori Wat’s Era (2022–2024)
On August 3, 2022, Montgomery signed with Aomori Wat’s of Japan’s B.League, beginning the longest and most stable chapter of his early professional career. The two-season run in Japan gave him consistent minutes, expanded offensive responsibilities, and the chance to develop his perimeter game in a league known for disciplined team basketball.
He emerged as a focal point of the Aomori rotation, using his length and athleticism to finish around the rim and protect the back line on defense. By the time he parted ways with the Wat’s in 2024, he had matured into a more complete two-way forward.
Birmingham Squadron and MKS Dąbrowa Górnicza (2024–Present)
On October 28, 2024, Montgomery returned to the United States, joining the Birmingham Squadron, the NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans. The stint offered him a chance to play in a highly competitive developmental league and reconnect with the American basketball ecosystem.
On August 15, 2025, he signed with MKS Dąbrowa Górnicza of the Polish Basketball League, where he continues to compete as a starting-caliber power forward. He wears jersey No. 7 for the Polish club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Montgomery is a long, athletic power forward whose game is anchored by rebounding, interior finishing, and developing shot-blocking instincts. His experience across multiple leagues has sharpened his pick-and-roll reads and his ability to stretch the floor from mid-range. Coaches have valued his motor and willingness to mix physicality with finesse around the basket.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include being named a 2018 McDonald’s All-American, scoring a career-high 25 points against Fairleigh Dickinson as a sophomore at Kentucky, and hitting the game-winning tip-in against Florida in the 2019–20 regular-season finale. His ongoing professional journey across four countries also marks him as one of the more traveled former Wildcats of his draft class.
Ej Montgomery Career Wins
Because verified win totals across his various professional clubs and the Polish Basketball League are not consolidated in the available sources, this section is limited to confirmed achievements rather than full numerical tallies.
Aomori Wat’s Highlights
Across two seasons with the Aomori Wat’s in Japan’s B.League, Montgomery served as a frontcourt cornerstone, contributing scoring, rebounding, and rim protection on a nightly basis. The consistency of his role helped him develop into a more versatile offensive player before his move back to North America.
Other Wins and Performances
Montgomery has also gained experience with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League and MKS Dąbrowa Górnicza of the PLK, both of which have provided important platforms to showcase his continued growth as a professional forward.
Ej Montgomery Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
E.J. Montgomery is the son of Efrem and Glenda Montgomery. He grew up alongside two sisters, Brittni and Brandy, who have been part of the close family support system that has shaped his basketball journey.
Personal Life
Public details about Montgomery’s personal relationships, marital status, and children are not confirmed in available sources. He continues to focus on his professional basketball career across international leagues.
2025 Season Performance
Montgomery’s 2025 calendar year has been defined by a pair of significant transitions. He began the year finishing his NBA G League stint with the Birmingham Squadron, a chapter that allowed him to compete against a deep pool of rising American talent while continuing to refine his skills.
On August 15, 2025, he signed with MKS Dąbrowa Górnicza of the Polish Basketball League, opening a new chapter in one of Europe’s most competitive second-tier national leagues. Wearing No. 7, he is expected to play a featured role in the frontcourt as the club competes in PLK play.
Coming off multiple seasons in Japan and a developmental run in the G League, Montgomery enters the 2025–26 Polish season with a broader skill set, a steadier offensive game, and renewed momentum as he continues to build his professional résumé abroad.