March 9, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University freshman guard Jio Fontan was named to the 2008-09 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball All-Rookie Team in voting conducted among the Conference's 14 head coaches it was announced today. He becomes the fifth Ram to earn All-Rookie Team honors, the first since 2005, joining Bryant Dunston and Marcus Stout (2005), Jeff McMillan (2001) and Bevon Robin (1998).

Fontan led the Rams in scoring on the year, averaging 15.3 ppg, while also dishing out a team-best 132 assists. He also averaged 2.7 rpg and recorded a team-high 33 steals along with three blocks. Fontan scored 429 points on the year, the third most for a Fordham freshman in school history (Robin scored 495 and Dunston 431 as freshmen), while his 132 assists are the most ever for a Ram rookie. He is ranked ninth in the Atlantic 10 in scoring, fourth in assists (4.71/game) and 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.29).

On the year, Fontan led all Atlantic 10 freshmen in both scoring and assists and was twice named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week. He appeared in all 28 games at point guard, starting 27, scoring in double figures in 24 of the 28 games, including six 20-point games.

Fontan's top scoring game on the year was a 25-point effort in a Fordham win at St. Bonaventure on January 28th while he dished out eleven assists in a game with Xavier on January 11th, the most for a Ram a since 1992.

Fontan led the Rams in assists in 25 of the 28 games this winter while leading the team in scoring eight times.