Players Mentioned
Rocket transfers Rich Barron (left), Sean Jones (middle), and Angel Montas Jr. (right) are expected to make immediate impacts for the Rockets.
Rockets Transfers Making Smooth Transition to Glass City
8/6/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Rich Barron, Sean Jones and Angel Montas Jr. each expected to contribute immediately
TOLEDO, Ohio – Summer workouts wrapped up for the Toledo men's basketball program last week, and one of Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk's top priorities in July was helping transfers Rich Barron, Sean Jones and Angel Montas Jr. acclimate to their new surroundings.
Based on what Coach Kowalczyk saw this summer, that objective appears to have been accomplished.
The trio is expected to make an immediate impact and gave the Rockets a glimpse of what's to come during summer workouts.
"I've been really happy with Sean, Rich and Angel and their transition to our program," Kowalczyk said. "We needed to get older and more physical. I also think we needed to find ways to shoot the ball better. Those are all areas we wanted to address in the transfer portal, and after seeing them compete this summer, I think we've done that."
Each player brings a different skill set to the Rockets. Jones is poised to take over as Toledo's starting point guard. Barron is a proven three-point threat and strong defender. Montas is a versatile scorer who can impact the game both inside and on the perimeter.
"Sean's our starting point guard and somebody that I have a great deal of confidence in," Kowalczyk said. "He's an immediate-impact player and a high-major athlete with unbelievable quickness and toughness. He can get into the paint and make the right plays. Sean will be one of our leaders and could be a game-changer defensively as well."
Jones averaged 6.3 points and 3.9 assists per game in eight contests at Marquette last season before being sidelined by foot and shoulder injuries. Now healthy, he is eager to get back on the court.
"The summer went really well for me, especially from a learning standpoint," Jones said. "I'm expecting to put my heart out there every time I step on the court and be a leader on both offense and defense. I want to bring a competitive mentality every night and maintain a steady mindset throughout the season."
Barron spent two seasons at Providence and earned BIG EAST All-Freshman Team honors in 2023-24. He averaged 17.3 minutes per game in 60 career appearances, including 19 starts, with the Friars. As a freshman, Barron shot 42.9% (36-of-84) from three-point range and has connected on 70-of-185 attempts (37.8%) from beyond the arc during his collegiate career.
"Rich can shoot it, and he has tremendous size at 6-5 and 230 pounds," Kowalczyk said. "He's tremendously fit and strong. He's much more skilled than I anticipated. I think he has great leadership qualities and a tremendous future here."
"I love everyone here," Barron said. "The coaching staff has done a great job easing me in and making me feel like I belong. They've made me feel like family. It's been super comfortable and super smooth. I'm a knockdown shooter, but I also feel like I can create for others. I can guard positions 1 through 4 as well."
Montas earned First-Team All-America East honors last season after leading UMass Lowell with 15.8 points per game while ranking second on the team with 5.1 rebounds and 0.9 steals per contest. A three-time America East Player of the Week, Montas averaged a league-best 20.0 points per game in conference play and recorded 12 20-point performances, including three games with 30 points or more.
"Angel really understands the game and plays with great pace," Kowalczyk said. "He also has good size at 6-6 and 230 pounds and plays very physically at both ends of the floor. He has a knack for scoring and putting the ball in the basket. He can also shoot it and stretch the defense."
"It's been a good transition for me," Montas said. "Our coaches have done a great job teaching us. I think we have a good team with a lot of talented, experienced players. I can play the 1, 2, 3 and 4 positions. The coaches have talked to me about being a mismatch on the perimeter while also being able to take advantage of smaller defenders in the post."
Â
Based on what Coach Kowalczyk saw this summer, that objective appears to have been accomplished.
The trio is expected to make an immediate impact and gave the Rockets a glimpse of what's to come during summer workouts.
"I've been really happy with Sean, Rich and Angel and their transition to our program," Kowalczyk said. "We needed to get older and more physical. I also think we needed to find ways to shoot the ball better. Those are all areas we wanted to address in the transfer portal, and after seeing them compete this summer, I think we've done that."
Each player brings a different skill set to the Rockets. Jones is poised to take over as Toledo's starting point guard. Barron is a proven three-point threat and strong defender. Montas is a versatile scorer who can impact the game both inside and on the perimeter.
"Sean's our starting point guard and somebody that I have a great deal of confidence in," Kowalczyk said. "He's an immediate-impact player and a high-major athlete with unbelievable quickness and toughness. He can get into the paint and make the right plays. Sean will be one of our leaders and could be a game-changer defensively as well."
Jones averaged 6.3 points and 3.9 assists per game in eight contests at Marquette last season before being sidelined by foot and shoulder injuries. Now healthy, he is eager to get back on the court.
"The summer went really well for me, especially from a learning standpoint," Jones said. "I'm expecting to put my heart out there every time I step on the court and be a leader on both offense and defense. I want to bring a competitive mentality every night and maintain a steady mindset throughout the season."
Barron spent two seasons at Providence and earned BIG EAST All-Freshman Team honors in 2023-24. He averaged 17.3 minutes per game in 60 career appearances, including 19 starts, with the Friars. As a freshman, Barron shot 42.9% (36-of-84) from three-point range and has connected on 70-of-185 attempts (37.8%) from beyond the arc during his collegiate career.
"Rich can shoot it, and he has tremendous size at 6-5 and 230 pounds," Kowalczyk said. "He's tremendously fit and strong. He's much more skilled than I anticipated. I think he has great leadership qualities and a tremendous future here."
"I love everyone here," Barron said. "The coaching staff has done a great job easing me in and making me feel like I belong. They've made me feel like family. It's been super comfortable and super smooth. I'm a knockdown shooter, but I also feel like I can create for others. I can guard positions 1 through 4 as well."
Montas earned First-Team All-America East honors last season after leading UMass Lowell with 15.8 points per game while ranking second on the team with 5.1 rebounds and 0.9 steals per contest. A three-time America East Player of the Week, Montas averaged a league-best 20.0 points per game in conference play and recorded 12 20-point performances, including three games with 30 points or more.
"Angel really understands the game and plays with great pace," Kowalczyk said. "He also has good size at 6-6 and 230 pounds and plays very physically at both ends of the floor. He has a knack for scoring and putting the ball in the basket. He can also shoot it and stretch the defense."
"It's been a good transition for me," Montas said. "Our coaches have done a great job teaching us. I think we have a good team with a lot of talented, experienced players. I can play the 1, 2, 3 and 4 positions. The coaches have talked to me about being a mismatch on the perimeter while also being able to take advantage of smaller defenders in the post."
Â
Sunday, March 15
Friday, March 13
Thursday, March 12
Friday, March 06
