DETROIT – Bob Hurley believes Jio Fontan should remain at Fordham for at least another year instead of transferring.
“He and his father have discussed transferring with me,” Hurley, the Naismith Hall of Fame nominee and St. Anthony coach, said Friday by phone. “I’ve talked with the Fordham people. I believe that he should stay through next year.
“I think they’re on the verge of being much better next year. He may be rushing the thing. He should give the school another year. The whole world is filled with everybody rushing to do things. Part of growing is battling through situations. My advice was stay one more year.”
Fordham finished 3-25, 1-15 in the A-10, but is bringing in several recruits, including Chris Gaston, the former St. Anthony standout, Paterson Catholic wing Lance Brown and Thomas Jefferson forward Joel “Air Jamaica” Wright, who comes in in 2010.
A native of Paterson, N.J., Fontan is seeking his release from the school, but has been denied by the program.
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, who averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 assists.
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. The pair helped lead St. Anthony to a 32- record and the 2008 mythical national high school championship.
If Fontan were to end up there, the duo would be reunited, but a number of schools are in play.
As for the Hall of Fame results, Hurley said he knew whether or not he had been admitted, but can’t disclose it. The results will be made public Tuesday here in Detroit.
Speaking of the Hurley family, Dan Hurley leads St. Benedict’s into the national championship this weekend at Georgetown Prep.
