Stephane Dondon has grown accustomed to making tremendous leaps during his life, but one of his biggest came this year as he jumped from the junior college world to suit up for Virginia in the powerful ACC.
The 6-foot-8 forward has traveled the world from Africa, to France, then to Texas before arriving in Charlottesville. Growing up in Toulouse, France, Dondon's main love was soccer, the sport of choice in Europe. However, as he grew older, things began to change.
At the age of 16, when most American basketball players are honing their skills for college play, Dondon was first introduced to the game of basketball.
"I started playing basketball because I got taller and taller," Dondon said. "I was a soccer player because in Europe soccer is big time."
Dondon became interested in basketball after seeing the game on television. He instantly was attracted to the fast-paced game. He is part of one of the more storied Cav recruiting classes in recent memory, but Dondon himself was attracted to another crop of recruits in particular.
"I started watching NCAA basketball, with Michigan and the Fab Five," he said.
After honing his skills in his native France, Dondon moved across the Atlantic in 1997 to pursue his dream of being a basketball player. Although he began the game 10 to 12 years after most of his competition, he excelled at Collin County Junior College. During his first season he averaged 12.1 points and grabbed 8.5 rebounds on the way to being named his team's Most Valuable Player and garnering All-Conference honors. He followed that up last year, increasing his scoring to 14.2 points.
After impressing Virginia Coach Pete Gillen, he was offered a scholarship last May. Coming into the season, Dondon played well early, earning a starting role for the first few games of the season. However, the adjustment process was a slow one and soon Dondon was coming off the bench.
"Coming from JUCO it took me a while to make that adjustment, from playing in front of 200 people to playing in front of 10 to 15,000, and playing games on TV," Dondon said. "This is one of the best Conferences in the nation. Every game, every night is a new challenge."
This did not discourage Dondon as he contributed on defense and rebounding, employing the same work ethic that allowed him to learn four languages - French, English, German and an African dialect - into his basketball preparation.
"I've been putting a little more work on the side, after practice with the coaches," Dondon said. "I'm getting a little bit more comfortable right now."
Dondon came out of his shell and posted a breakthrough game against Florida State. He posted 14 points on 5-6 shooting and recorded a game-high seven rebounds while playing staunch interior defense.
"He got his confidence back and it served as a turning point," Virginia Asst. Coach Scott Shepherd said.
Dondon provides the Cavs with a quality player who can bang with the ACC behemoths and at the same time drift behind the three-point line and knock down a trey.
"He poses a matchup problem," Shepherd said. "He can go by people, shoot the jump shot, post up, and run the floor like a wing player."
Off the court Dondon has become both a team and fan favorite because of his likable personality.
"He always has a smile on his face and everyone on the team enjoys his company," Shepherd said.
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