North Point graduate Bonds signs first pro hoops contract
North Point graduate Bonds signs first pro hoops contract with team in Denmark
Basketball has taken Matt Bonds from North Point High School to Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and now all the way to Horsholm, Denmark.
The 2013 North Point graduate, who recently finished up a stellar four-year career at Saint Michael’s, an NCAA Division II outfit, signed his first professional basketball contract on Saturday in Europe to play for the Horsholm 79ers, the top tier-league team in Denmark.
Bonds mentioned that former Saint Michael’s teammates Mike Holton Jr. and James Cambronne also signed pro contracts when he was a sophomore and that is what drove him to what to eventually play at that level.
“Once I got to college and saw my teammates having the opportunity to play professionally that is what made me what to do the same thing,” said Bonds, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. “I’ve never been to another country let alone Denmark, so this will be a new experience for me. I’ve been home for five weeks now and I’m looking
forward to this opportunity.”
Bonds spoke with Horsholm head coach Rafa Moncolva last week through a Facetime video chat discussing what the team expectations are and what Denmark has to offer.
“He [Monclova] just talked about his past and how he’s in the third year with the team,” Bonds said. “He gave me some information about Denmark and the outlook and plan of
the team for next year. We also talked about where he sees me fitting in and if I had questions about the program and Denmark.”
Bonds added: “I chose Denmark mainly because I couldn’t pass up the opportunity you never when another contract offer will come. This gives me the chance to play in the top league in Europe and it is just a dream come true. Denmark is a country that speaks English for the most part. Even though the native language is Danish, the coach said it won’t be a
problem at all over there.”
This past season, Horsholm finished third in the Ligaen standings, the top league in Denmark. The 79ers got eliminated in first round after losing 3-2 in the best-of-five playoff series.
In his first two seasons at Saint Michael’s, Bonds was a role player off the bench, but he turned into one of the most dominant big men in the nation his junior and senior seasons. He finished as the one of the most decorated players in school history, scoring 1,523 points and grabbing 1,102 rebounds
in his career.
The 6-foot-5 Bonds was also a double-double machine for most of his career, averaging almost 22 points per game and 12.3 rebounds a game in his senior season. He was third in the nation in Division II in rebounding and was third in double-doubles with 19 on the season.
“It is just a testament to all the hard work through high school and college,” said Bonds, who won a state basketball title under North Point head coach Jimmy Ball as a sophomore reserve. “It is all about trusting
the process and it is a blessing to be successful.”
Bonds noted that with the 79ers he will primarily play inside but will be a stretch the floor at the forward and the forward position.
“The team looked at my physicality and my demeanor on the floor,” Bonds said. “I’ve just been working out and keeping my game sharp and body ready for the season.”
Bonds said that he will report for training camp in Denmark on Aug. 15.