FORDHAM'S FONTAN TO TRANSFER?

[Copenhagen]

Fontan Seeking Release from Fordham
Posted on Apr 2, 2009 7:48 pm

www.zagsblog.com/2009/04/02/fontan-seeking-release-from-fordham/


DETROIT - Fordham point guard Jio Fontan is seeking his release from the school, but has been denied by the program, according to a source with knowledge.

Half a dozen schools from the SEC, ACC and Big East — including both New Jersey programs — would be interested in landing the 6-foot-1 Fontan, the A-10 Rookie of the Year.

Fontan, who starred for Bob Hurley at St. Anthony in Jersey City, averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 assists for a Fordham team that finished 3-25, 1-15 in the A-10.

Fordham has already granted releases to freshman Trey Blue and sophomore Mike Moore, but not to Fontan.

Fontan’s former St. Anthony teammate, Mike Rosario, is the starting shooting guard at Rutgers. If Fontan were to end up there, the duo would be reunited, but a number of schools are in play.

As first reported here, Fontan and Rosario will team up this summer for Puerto Rico in the FIBA U19 World Championship for Men in Auckland, New Zealand.

[Copenhagen]

AS I REMEMBER THE BONNIES WERE ONE OF HIS FINAL CHOICES BEFORE HE PICKED MANHATTAN.

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Chris Smith Leaving Manhattan
Posted on Apr 2, 2009 5:06 pm

www.zagsblog.com/2009/04/02/chris-smith-leaving-manhattan/

Chris Smith is transferring from Manhattan.

The 6-foot-3 former St. Benedict’s Prep guard and younger brother of Denver Nuggets guard JR Smith will end up somewhere else and will have to sit a year.

“Chris has asked for his release and our athletic department has granted this request,” Manhattan coach Barry Rohrssen said. “We appreciate his contributions to this program and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Smith averaged 13.4 points and 5.7 rebounds. He scored in double-figures 20 times, including a 35-point outburst against Princeton.

Smith initially committed to Seton Hall but the schools parted ways and he began playing at Manhattan the second semester of 2007-08.

[Chuck]

This could have a negative impact on the Bonnies chances of signing Corey Chandler. Rumor started during the Big East Tournament was high school teammates Jio Fontan and Mike Rosario of Rutgers want to be reunited and both were considering transferring to Georgia Tech. Below is a copy of the rumor with link.


The Big East tournament, like a lot of big gatherings, is a hotbed for rumors. So if you’re into rumors - and who isn’t? - here’s one that is making the rounds at the Garden.

Fordham, a sinking ship in the Atlantic 10, may sink even further if the rumor of Jio Fontan bolting from Fordham comes to fruition.

Fontan, the Rams’ freshman phenom (and really, the only reason to watch Fordham this season) is said to be joining Rutgers’ Mike Rosario as a package deal and heading to Atlanta to become Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

www.nydailynews.com/blogs/basketcase/2009/03/expanded-big-east-dance-draws.html

[njbona02]

Did anyone else notice they said Fontan was Rookie of the Year. FALSE!!!

[LumsdnA10Academc98]

Apr 2, 2009 20:33:16 GMT -5 Copenhagen said:

the 6-foot-1 Fontan, the A-10 Rookie of the Year.

Come again?

[Edit to add: Maybe they're buddies and all, but wouldn't Jio transfering to a school with an incumbent McDonald's All-American starting PG be a detriment in his search for a solid program offering good minutes at the point? After all, Chandler is leaving for a reason, though likely multiple. I don't see Rutgers being a good fit for Fontan.]

[B02]

If you deny transfers that does not go over well with high school coaches or recruits because you are basically are holding a guy against his will at your university. This will only help bonaventure or any other team in the NYC metro area because players will shy away from Fordham.

[maplehurst]

I just read the Fordham board. Nobody has any idea what is going to happen there. Fordham may need walk-ons to field a team next season. It looks like 2 freshmen, 1 sophomore, and a junior are leaving. I did hear that Fordham has a Big East caliber recruiting class coming in. But will they all come now? It's a very bad situation.

[mikebossy22]

I thought Fontan transferring was old news???

[Copenhagen]

an update from:

www.nydailynews.com/blogs/basketcase/

April 3, 2009

Will he stay or will he go?

Yes, Jio Fontan has asked for his release from Fordham and yes, the university has so far told him no dice.

But according to a pair of sources very close to the Fordham program, it’s all but a done deal that Fontan, who averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 assists this past season, will eventually be freed by Fordham.

With the Easter holiday coming up in a little over a week, and the school closing up shop next Thursday and Friday, Fontan may still be a Fordham Ram come Easter, but he is expected to finally be granted his release shortly after the holiday at the latest.

What that does to the Rams’ incoming recruiting class - particularly 6-7 wing Chris Gaston and 6-3 guard Lance Brown - is unclear. But one source said he expected one or both to ask for a release from their Fordham commitments if/when Fontan leaves.

At the end of the regular season, it was hard to fathom how much worse the Rams’ 3-25 campaign could get. Apparently, it can still get a lot worst up at Rose Hill.

By Sean Brennan on April 3, 2009 7:52 PM

[schmidthead]

Apr 3, 2009 1:09:12 GMT -5 LumsdnA10Academc98 said:

Apr 2, 2009 20:33:16 GMT -5 Copenhagen said:

the 6-foot-1 Fontan, the A-10 Rookie of the Year.

Come again?

[Edit to add: Maybe they're buddies and all, but wouldn't Jio transfering to a school with an incumbent McDonald's All-American starting PG be a detriment in his search for a solid program offering good minutes at the point? After all, Chandler is leaving for a reason, though likely multiple. I don't see Rutgers being a good fit for Fontan.]

Rutgers doesn't really have starting point guard, Rosario and Chandler are both shooting guards. It would be a big pickup for RU to get Fontan and he would probably start from day 1.