Tar Heels Among Many Looking At Junior Big Man
Fernando Bonfin, a 7-0, 265-pound center from Colby Cathedral HS in Bridgeport, CT, averaged 20 points, 18 rebounds, and six blocks last season for Colby Cathedral in earning third team all-state honors. Fernando is coached by former Cavalier, Net, and Celtic John Bagley.
Bagley worked extensively this summer with Bonfin. "I worked out with Coach Bagley every morning from 5 am to 9 am," said Bonfin. "I didn't play many AAU games this summer. Mostly, I just worked on my game."
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"He's come a long way," said Bagley. "We've been working on his footwork, his touch, left hand and right hand, and his quickness. Things that don't show
up on the stat sheet, but things that he needs. I think if he continues to work on his drills, his drop step, his up and under, that by the time next year's scholastic season starts, he'll be more than
ready (for college basketball)."
Bonfin is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who moved to the United States three years ago. He has played basketball since he was 11 years old. Though very early in the recruiting process, Bonfin has heard from
25 Division I schools, including most recently, North Carolina. Schools such as Syracuse, Boston College, Connecticut, Seton Hall, St. John's, Rutgers, Georgia Tech and Ohio State have also expressed interest.
"I'll start thinking about colleges next year, my senior year," said Bonfin. Bonfin is an engaging young guy, a player who
possesses good hands, good mobility, and a terrific frame. He is a legitimate seven-footer who weighs in at 265 lbs. He is a fundamentally sound big man and a space-eater in the paint, a pivot who can manhandle smaller post players with his size.