At The Catholic University of America, Bryson Fonville, B.S.B.A. 2016, was a star on the basketball court. It’s no exaggeration to say he became a legend.
He is, in fact, a Texas Legend — a member of the NBA Development League team based near Dallas. The D-League is made up of 22 teams that prepare players, coaches, and other staff for possible work with the NBA.
In his first season playing with the Legends, Fonville averaged 4.8 points and 2.5 assists per game for 49 games. One of his best moments came on February 9, when he scored 19 points during a loss to the Austin Spurs.
“Bryson had an incredible ability to make his teammates better.”
“We didn’t get to win that game,” he said, “but to have such a good shooting performance was definitely exciting, and just added to the confidence I already had. And a lot of my teammates were excited for me, which was really cool.”
At just over six feet, Fonville isn’t the tallest guy on the team, or the fastest, but he makes up for it with heart. These days, his heart is filled with gratitude for the chance to live his childhood dream of playing basketball as a professional.
He is also grateful to have been one of 10 players chosen for the Landmark Conference All-Decade Team. Fonville was one of four Catholic University basketball stars so designated, along with Jason Banzhaf, B.A. 2011; Chris Kearney, B.S.B.A. 2013; and rising senior Jay Howard.
Fonville finished his career at Catholic University with 1,649 points, 427 rebounds, 613 assists, and 164 steals. He was named to the All-Landmark First Team three years in a row, and in 2015 was voted Player of the Year.
"Bryson had an incredible ability to make his teammates better,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Howes. “I believe he was the best point guard in Division III the four years that he was here with us at Catholic University. He had uncanny vision on the court, was very athletic for his size, and had the ‘refuse to lose’ attitude that was infectious. His talent took our team to a new level.”
Some day, Fonville may go into business, but it’s also possible that he’ll stay in the sports arena, perhaps as a coach. For now, he’s happy to see as much of the world as he can, perhaps eventually playing overseas, and to let the game of basketball take him as far as it will.
This article is adapted from the spring 2017 issue of The Catholic University of America Magazine.
