Oklahoma State in Top-Six for Southern Conference Freshman of the Year

STILLWATER – The incoming transfer pool for Oklahoma State continues to grow as they made the top-six list for the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year.

Damari Monsanto, a 6-6, 225-pound wing for East Tennessee State and out of Pembroke Pines, FL, released his top-six list on Sunday. Joining the Cowboys is Arkansas, Butler, Iowa State, Virginia and Wake Forest.

Monsanto, who redshirted the 2019-20 season, was second on the team in scoring as he averaged 11.8 points a game this past season on 41% shooting from the field, but led the team in rebounds with 7.3 a game.

During conference play, Monsanto averaged 13.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Sure, I understand the Southern Conference isn’t anywhere near the competition level of the Big 12, but Monsanto’s 11.8 points would’ve been third on the list for OSU this past season and his 7.3 rebounds would’ve led the team.

Being as it was just his redshirt freshman season, there’s plenty of time left in Monsanto’s career to continue to develop. However, his numbers make sense as to why Boynton and Co. are in on him.

Boynton and Co. are also set to meet virtually with East Carolina transfer forward Jayden Gardner on Monday. Gardner is a 6-7, 235-pound forward out of Wake Forest, N.C. who started 18 out of 19 games this past season as a junior. Gardner has had a stellar career at ECU, especially this past season as he averaged 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

He averaged 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds in 2019-20 and 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in 2018-19. So, it’s pretty easy to see why he’s one of the more sought-after transfers in the country as he’s been one of the more productive players in the country.