Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Jio Fontan was denied a release from Fordham during a meeting Tuesday even after promising school officials that he would not attend any Big East schools in the area.
“He was denied,” a source with direct knowledge said.
Fontan met with a Fordham official following another meeting last week that involved his family and an administrative committee.
Still, Fontan and his family are “100 percent” committed to fighting the decision and pursuing a release, the source said.
Two other Fordham players — Trey Blue and Mike Moore — were previously given their releases. But Fontan, who starred at St. Anthony of Jersey City under Bob Hurley, is considered the face of the program by the staff. He was influential in landing the stellar incoming recruiting class that includes Paterson Catholic wing Lance Brown and New Hampton forward Chris Gaston.
“We love Jio. He was the person that pushed to get Lance to Fordham. We hope everything works out and he is a Ram. I think this team can be good two years from now,” said Ron Cope, Brown’s uncle.
Earlier Tuesday, ZAGSBLOGbroke the news that Fordham had also landed Fahro Alihodzic, a 6-10, 235-pound forward born in Bosnia.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Jio Fontan was denied a release from Fordham during a meeting Tuesday even after promising school officials that he would not attend any Big East schools in the area.
“He was denied,” a source with direct knowledge said.
Fontan met with a Fordham official following another meeting last week that involved his family and an administrative committee.
Still, Fontan and his family are “100 percent” committed to fighting the decision and pursuing a release, the source said.
Two other Fordham players — Trey Blue and Mike Moore — were previously given their releases. But Fontan, who starred at St. Anthony of Jersey City under Bob Hurley, is considered the face of the program by the staff. He was influential in landing the stellar incoming recruiting class that includes Paterson Catholic wing Lance Brown and New Hampton forward Chris Gaston.
“We love Jio. He was the person that pushed to get Lance to Fordham. We hope everything works out and he is a Ram. I think this team can be good two years from now,” said Ron Cope, Brown’s uncle.
Earlier Tuesday, ZAGSBLOG broke the news that Fordham had also landed Fahro Alihodzic, a 6-10, 235-pound forward born in Bosnia.
