WBB Catches Up With All-Time Leading Scorer Nathalie Fontaine
May 11, 2020 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - It's been four years since the Swedish sensation Nathalie Fontaine completed her four-year career with the Ball State women's basketball team. Fontaine, a highly decorated player, remains the Cardinals' all-time leading scorer with 2,166 points. She was also named an honorable mention All-American selection by the Associated Press and the 2016 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year.
Since graduation, Fontaine has played professionally in Europe, competing for teams in Germany, Romania, France and back in her home country. Currently quarantined with her family in Sweden, she took part in a question-and-answer session via e-mail to reflect on her time at Ball State and how COVID-19 has impacted her in Sweden …Â
Why did you choose to play at Ball State?
"I chose Ball State strictly because of the connection I made with the coaches. I didn't know much about college basketball before coming to the states, and I didn't know what to expect. But after my visit to campus, I knew right away that that's where I wanted to be. I knew coach had my best interest at heart, and I knew that he would push me to be the best player I could be. I trusted him, and I know I made the right decision. I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to play for Ball State."
What are three things you learned as a Cardinal that you use still today in your everyday life?
"To always believe in myself and trust all the work I put into whatever I'm doing, "trust the process." I learned what toughness was, not only on the court but also mentally in my everyday life. I also grew a lot as a person at Ball State. Living across the world without any family members forced me to grow up quicker. The most important thing I learned as a Cardinal (from my coaches) is to take responsibility and lead by example."
What was your favorite career moment at Ball State?
"My favorite moment would have to be breaking the school record in scoring. Being able to celebrate it on our home court in front of our fans and my family along with my whole team was unreal."
What did Brady Sallee say to you the most?
"This is a hard one, haha. He was big on teaching me how to lead by example, to be the first one to dive on the floor (I don't think I got that one all the way down, lol). But to be the one who spent the most time in the gym and putting in extra work and always to give 100 percent in practice. He taught me to be tougher no matter what. I could have two people hanging on me while I took a shot with no foul called, and if I missed then it meant that I had to be tougher and go back in the weight room, lol. (To be fair, I think everyone knows that he was always on the refs as well, lol.)"
Who do you admire the most?
"My mom and my sister."
What does Ball State and the Muncie community mean to you?
"It means a lot to me. I still call it my home, and it will always be!"
What has it been like playing professionally overseas?
"It has been a lot of fun, but it's also very different than college basketball. It's really a job, and anyone is replaceable if they don't perform. There's not that same player-coach bond that you have in college. When you play professional basketball, the coaches and organizations don't necessarily care about you as a person; you're only there to do your job which is to perform the way they projected you to perform and to win games. You have to be very strong mentally to be able to play professional basketball. But I'm very lucky that I have the opportunity to still play and make a living out of something I love. I also get to experience a lot of different cultures and meet a lot of different people and travel the world."
Where are you currently spending your COVID-19 quarantine?
"Since the virus outbreak they have shut down all basketball leagues, so I am now back in Sweden and spending time with my family."
What food did you like the most about America?
"The steaks! And Mac 'n cheese."
What do you miss most about the United States?
"The people, the food, and obviously Ball State."
Â