Interest Picking Up in Scottsdales Fontenet
As more and more players go off the board this spring, Scottsdale C.C. guard James Fontenet has risen higher up on the recruiting depth chart for many Division I programs.
Fontenet, a 6-1, 180 pound shooting/combo guard from Phoenix, Ariz., enjoyed a terrific sophomore campaign for the Artichokes.
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A transfer from New Mexico State, Fontenet averaged 18.5 points (ranking third in the region) and 2.4 steals per game. He connected on 81 treys during a 30-game season.
Scottsdale Head Coach Paul Eberhardt told JUCO Junction that Pacific, Washington State and Tulsa have emerged as strong contenders for Fontenet's services.
"Those three are leading the way," Eberhardt said. "He has high interest in all of them, but hasn't set any visit dates yet."
In addition to that trio, Weber State, Portland State and San Jose State have also been recruiting Fontenet this year.
Fontenet won Player of the Week honors in Region I twice in February, at times carrying the Artichokes.
"He played really well down the stretch," Eberhardt said. "During the second half of the year, he shot 46 percent from three, and scored 38 points, hitting eight of 10 threes against Arizona Western."
While his height and body suggest that Fontenet will be a point guard at the Division I level, his game is really more suited to that of an off guard.
"The schools that are recruiting him want him to come in and play the two," Eberhardt said. "He shoots it so well, that what they see is him backing up or playing a few minutes per game at the point."
While Fontenet had a strong year individually, Scottsdale struggled to a 14-16 (10-12 ACCAC) finish.
That may have hampered the recruitment of sophomore small forward Mark Bunker, who prior to the start of the 2003-2004 season was receiving some Division I looks.
Eberhardt said that a slew of Division II programs in the Southwest like Bunker. Cal-State Northridge and Florida Atlantic have discussed the idea of the 6-4 wing walking on.
As for freshman qualifier Seth Robinson, the 6-6 forward from Phoenix has generated interest from Birmingham Southern and Maine.
The 195 pound native of Phoenix led Region I in rebounding, grabbing 10.7 per game for the Artichokes.
He was one of the more impressive freshmen we saw last October at the ACCAC Jamboree.
"Right now, Seth is leaning toward coming back for his sophomore year," Eberhardt said. "I spoke with him, and he wants to wait and see what happens."
JUCO Junction will keep an eye on the Scottsdale players with the signing period just over a week away. Stay tuned!