College of Staten Island men’s basketball senior forward Will Fonseca officially put on the CSI uniform a final time this afternoon, this time as part of a national showcase, representing the East Region at the annual NABC Reese’s 2016 NCAA Division III All-Star Game in Salem, Va. The game preceded the National Championship Game between St. Thomas University and Benedictine University. The showcase event was won by the East Region, 129-120, but according to Fonseca, the final score paled in comparison to the experience playing alongside and against the best players in the nation, as well as being swept away in some in the weekend’s itinerary, which included stops at Roanoke College Elementary School for a Ticket to Read program and a basketball clinic for Special Olympians.
“It was a great experience,” said Fonseca after the game. “I had a great time. Even everything outside of basketball: To read to the kids and get to play basketball with the Special Olympians, it was all such an overwhelming experience. In the end, being a part of such a talented group of people just shows how far I’ve come. It’s truly been a blessing and I loved every minute.”
When play started, the shots went up early and often in the all-star extravaganza, and Fonseca, who averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Dolphins, was right in the thick of things, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds.
Fonseca was the second CSI player to play in the annual event. In 2012, former Dolphin and current assistant coach Jordan Young was a part of the action in Salem. Following the game, the two championship teams took to the floor, with Fonseca and the many all-stars taking in the action. St. Thomas won the contest 82-76.
The back-to-back CUNYAC Player of the Year, Fonseca earned NABC second-team All-American and the D3hoops.com All-Atlantic Region Player of the Year, Fonseca is also in the running for All-ECAC and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Player of the Year honors as well. Those All-Stars will be announced in the current weekend.
