Fort Worth, Texas - When Montez Young Jr. stepped back into the Texas Wesleyan gym this fall, he wasn’t returning out of comfort, and he was returning with purpose. After a standout season last year, Young chose to come back to earn his master’s degree and chase his dream of playing professional basketball. For him, this season represents a second chapter built on growth, leadership, and unfinished business.
 
“I want to go pro,” Young said. “Coming back to Texas Wesleyan gives me the best opportunity based on the success I had last year and the relationship I have with Coach B.”
 
Head Coach Brian Wanamaker felt the same way. Bringing Young back wasn’t just beneficial; it was necessary.
 
“We’ve had Tez in this program for the last two years,” Wanamaker said. “Understanding how tough this conference is, having someone with his experience and production was important. He was the Sixth Man of the Year last season, so getting him back was big for our team.”
 
But Young’s return wasn’t only about basketball. He’s pursuing an MBA with long-term goals in mind. After playing overseas, he hopes to start an agency that connects high school athletes and college players to opportunities they might not otherwise find. Growing up as a military kid himself, he wants to help others face the same challenges he once did.
 
The biggest shift for Young this season has been stepping into leadership.
 
“A lot of people rely on me,” Young said. “We’ve got new guys, and I’m showing them the ropes. You need a leader when you’re going to war, and basketball is kind of like war.”
 
His teammate, Hamilton Wallace, has noticed the change. “He’s more vocal this year,” Wallace said. “He’s always in a good mood, and he leads by example.”
 
Coach Wanamaker sees that evolution, too, even while acknowledging Young’s playful personality.
 
“We’re still working on Tez’s leadership,” Wanamaker said with a laugh. “He’s a bit goofy sometimes, and players don’t always take him seriously. But he leads by example. He works hard, shows up early, is coachable, and gives his best effort.”
 
Wanamaker has seen clear growth from Young over the past two seasons.
 
“His biggest growth has been leadership,” he said. “When we go through adversity, he’s always telling guys to move on to the next play. He makes sure everyone follows.”
 
Balancing grad school, basketball, and fatherhood hasn’t been easy.
 
“I’m hanging on by a thread sometimes,” Young admitted. “But I break everything into small
chunks some for schoolwork, some for practice, some for games.”
 
Still, he shows up every day with purpose. This season, Young’s goals are simple: win more, lose less, and make a deep national
tournament run. “Last year we lost in the first round,” he said. “This year I want to make a real run.”
 
As for what Wanamaker hopes Young takes from his final season, it’s bigger than basketball.
 
“I just want him to have a good experience,” he said. “I want him to leave knowing this is a place he can always come back to a place that cares about him and let him be himself.”
 
For Young, wearing a Texas Wesleyan jersey again means stepping into who he is and who he’s becoming. This isn’t a repeat. It’s the second chapter. And Montez Young Jr. plans to finish it strong.