Deseret News | High school basketball: Monson helping Ravens soar

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High school basketball: Monson helping Ravens soar

Monsen Fan | 2:22 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

Neal is the real deal. He has definitely benefitted from Coach Monsen's philosophy that all players, regardless of size or position, should be able to dribble and pass like a point guard. Neal is not only the best scorer and rebounder on the team...but this kid is a phenomenal dribbler, and an amazing passer with exceptional court vision.

Barring injury, Neal will be a big time Division 1 player (unless he instead chooses an Ivy League education). I would love to see him remain in the state...especially at BYU.

2A WATCHER | 7:25 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH REID MONSON OVER THE YEARS AS I'VE WATCHED HIS TEAMS IN 2A. I WATCHED NEAL TWO YEARS AGO OR LAST YEAR AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED.

WHERE DID REID MONSON PLAY HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BALL?

LOOKED TO ME LIKE A BALLPLAYER!

3A Coach | 7:57 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

We have played Waterford twice and I agree Monsen is a very good player and his dad is a good coach. However, they will have a very hard time getting out of the first round. Juan Diego has more athletes, bodies and subsequent fouls to give then anyone they have played. Neal will spend all night at the free throw line so he better practice them this week. Good luck to the Ravens though - I hope they win as it's a great story - Hoosier "ish" if you will.

Comments continue below

Monson | 10:03 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

Sounds like a great kid. He would be very smart to go play for Stew at Utah State because he's not only the best coach in the state but hands down the best big man coach around.

3a fan | 11:51 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

wowza! neal monson truly is a beast. if the game plan of the opposing team is to foul that monster< not only will they foul their team out, but they will lose the game from the free throw line. He shoots 92 percent from the line and is able to earn and 1 shots. it will be a good game!!!!

James | 11:55 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

Reid, coach Monson, played at East and the U. His integrity and character is clearly passed down to the team and his son's.

Question | 11:56 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

Anyone know if he's LDS?

baller shot caller | 11:57 a.m. Feb. 17, 2009

so im a kind of girly dude, BUT SOMETIMES TURN ON THE TELLY TO enjoy some basketballs games. When i watch the neal monson i am very happy. his dunks they make me so happy and i say he dunk on yo head a'gin and a'gin and a'gin! those ravenous ravens must have the great success. Neal is a beast and is comparable to the skills of king lebron james. I believe if all the teams were to lie down in the paint he could soar like an eagle or raven and slam the ball into a dunking fury on them!!!!!

Monson | 12:00 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

I hear Monson is in the Olympus High School boundaries. If he wants some real competition, he should join the stellar team that the Titans are and will have next year. With his help he can have a guaranteed State Title next year in 4A rather than not have one in a dismal 3A.

Anonymous | 12:05 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

That was an awesome win for you guys over Judge. Good Luck in the 3A state tournament.

P.S. I hope Judge loses every game.

response to monson | 12:28 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

There is no guarantee that Olympus will win a 4A title-Anyway Waterford will be playing 2A next year. Would that be a more dismal state title? Sounds like Ivy League education could await Monson, much more important than an assumed state title.

neal who? | 12:32 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

neal monson is ok but juan diego s 6'8 big man cody johnson will not only block neal every sinle time but he will dunk all over him cody johnson could be the best and most underrated big man in state

Jaime | 12:56 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

Monson is NOT in Oly area (Brighton) and he would not leave. He understands that education is priority - not bball. Plus, he is with one of the best coaches in the state.

Re: Question | 3:36 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

Yes

GO TO USU | 5:36 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

I would love to see Neal in Aggie Blue and White. Stew is the best bigman coach in Utah.
I sure hope Waterford makes it to the Semifinals to play Bear River. I'd like to see how they'd defend him.

Way to go Neal | 6:45 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

The whole Monson family are a great bunch of people, father and son included. Neal is a great guy, and yes his dad is LDS. I wish the best for both of them and the ravens in the state tourney.

Re: Anonymous | 7:24 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

Why do you want Judge to win every game? Let me guess they beat you hands down and your still bitter about it??

Anonymous | 9:47 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

If he's smart and USU offers, he should accept ASAP. Nobody place is better & no coach is better.

Anonymous | 10:09 p.m. Feb. 17, 2009

If he was concerned about being a big star, he wouldn't be playing for Waterford, a highly academic school. He will go to Ivy League for the education. Sorry in-state fans. Even though his Dad went to the U, I wouldn't bet he stays in state.

Big Dog | 7:05 p.m. Feb. 18, 2009

It will be two years before Monson is a contributer at the college level. Having watched him play, he is good within five feet of the basketball but there is not much else there right now. Being 6'10" tall he should have been averaging 30 points a game and 20-25 rebounds per game. The potential is there it just has not been fully developed yet. He has only played against guys that are 6'1 to 6'4 and that is not much for a 6'10" player.

He will have a great college career through when he is out from under his father. His dad is a good man but fathers do not make great coaches as everything has been planned by dad around the son. I wish him the best and it will be great to watch him develop over the years. He will do great things!

neal monson;) | 12:02 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

i really like neal alot because of what he is able to do on the court. But we all know that really he such a stud, those muscles are muy delicisoso. I really hope he plays at utah state so i dont have to follow him out a long way when he goes to college. good luck neal

anoymus | 1:02 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

the big question for tonight's game is how juan diego is gonna stop monson and how waterford is gonna stop coro they are both the leading scoring in the league!

hoopsters12 | 2:27 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

When Monson steps all over Juan Diego, I think 13 of the bench is going to be freaking awesome.

Mike | 2:51 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

Monson is definitely one of the best to come out of Utah since Sean Greene. Without him, Waterford would be lucky to win two or three games.

Moses | 3:46 p.m. Feb. 20, 2009

I created Neal

Beethoven | 3:28 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Actually it is a plus to play for a Dad, especially if he has had the skills at a college level. I've watched Neal and he can shoot a 3, foul shoot, lay it up, he pretty much does it all. It's nice to see a solid player coming up from Utah.

21st&21st | 3:56 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Reid Monson basketball camp in the summer months were great times. Reid even coached my super league team 2 years in a row(1-22 record). We struggled cause he didn't manage his talent and lineups effectively. Sounds like he should have gotten his son more involved in the waterford scheme last year. Great guy, average at assessing talent.

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