One of the top young prospects in the state has quickly emerged this high school season, and is definitely one prospect to watch closely for the future. St. Mary's High School's 6-foot-3 freshman guard prospect Jason Fontenet Jr. is one of the elite freshman prospects in the state, and has a name that Arizona basketball enthusiasts know very well.
Jason Fontenet Jr. is the son of former Arizona basketball star guard and St. Mary's High School basketball product Jason Fontenet. Fontenet Sr. graced the Arizona basketball hardwood in the late 1990's and very early 2000's, and went on to play at New Mexico State and Oregon State, before having a pro career overseas. While his father was a smaller, lightning quick guard prospect, Jason Fontenet Jr. is already much taller and bigger - suggesting that he will continue to grow into a big guard prospect.
While St. Mary's HS Head Coach Damin Lopez has quickly built the Knights' program into a serious contender for a 4A State Title, he looked to bring Fontenet on slowly this high school season, since he has a young team already. But Fontenet has developed fast and has become a strong contributor for the Knights early.
After helping lead St. Mary's (12-3) to a runner-up finish in the Horizon Holiday Invitational in December, Fontenet had his best perfomance to date while helping lead the team to a strong 3-1 overall record in the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic in Torrey Pines, CA, also in late December. In the event, St. Mary's would get big wins over San Ysidro HS (CA) (89-82), Memorial HS (TX) (58-55) and Brentwood School (CA) (65-62). Fontenet would come up big for the Knights in the tournament, and would solidify himself as one of the top performers for this year's Knights' program.
A bigger point guard prospect, Fontenet Jr. is a sure-fire future combo-guard prospect, but likes to have the basketball in his hands from the point guard position. He is a playmaker that sees the floor and enjoys getting the basketball to the open man on the floor and also cutters to the basket. He is also able to make plays for himself off the dribble, or create scoring opportunities for his teammates, while penetrating in the lane or around defenders. He pushes the basketball up the floor consistently, and is also a very good scorer of the basketball, when he decides to make plays for himself.
Fontenet is a major reason why I consider the future of the St. Mary's basketball program to be so bright, as he will be a top performer in this state for (4) full seasons, and is just beginning to embark on an illustrious career that will develop quickly over time. He already possesses an excellent frame on his young body, and, as he continues to mature physically, he will realize his true potential as a player.
Being a guard prospect that is the son of one of the state's best all-time guards, and also the grandson of one of the state's best ever guard also - James "BeBe" Fontenet. BeBe Fontenet played in the NBA, and is an Arizona basketbal legend. While also being coached by Damin Lopez, also one of the state's best all-time guards, this young man is simply a can't miss prospect that college coaches need to begin to start getting in line for quickly, as the college offers will soon begin to start pouring in for his future services.
I will continue to follow the progress of Fontenet as a player and college prospect closely, and look for him to become one of the state's elite overall talents in the near future.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: A bigger point guard prospect, Fontenet Jr. is a sure-fire future combo-guard prospect, but likes to have the basketball in his hands from the point guard position. He is a playmaker that sees the floor and enjoys getting the basketball to the open man on the floor and also cutters to the basket. He is also able to make plays for himself off the dribble, or create scoring opportunities for his teammates while penetrating in the lane or around defenders. He is a good shooter of the basketball with some range, and will need to add more consistency to his jumper from longer ranges over time to maximize his potential as a player and prospect. He has a quick release on his shot, and also has a strong mid-range game, which allows him to survey the floor before committing to scoring or making a play. He pushes the basketball up the floor as much as possible, and is a very good scorer and finisher in the open court already, and he will definitely improve in this area over time. A very good passer that sees the floor. An excelelnt defender with excellent lateral quickness, quick hands and feet. He plays passing lanes and creates deflections and steals. An active rebounder on both ends of the floor, as a result of his size and motor from the guard position. An excellent guard prospect for the future that should develop quickly into one of the state's elite young prospects.
