Fantazia follows his heart to Portugal

Moving around has never been a problem for Brice Fantazia, especially with basketball as a constant.

Still, playing professional basketball in Portugal qualifies as the biggest move yet for the Modesto native.

Fantazia is playing for FC Porto Ferpinta, based in Porto, Portugal, one of three local players who have gone the international route.

With maternal and paternal grandparents all having emigrated from the Azores, Fantazia was able to gain dual citizenship this summer and work out with the national team.

That experience helped him adjust to a different style of play and catch the eye of pro scouts.

"It's a dream come true," Fantazia said. "It's a lot different than American basketball. It's not as athletic. There's a lot of fundamentals. Everyone can shoot."

Fantazia transferred from Turlock High to Modesto Christian his senior year after sitting out his junior season with broken facial bones and ankle.

He came off the bench to help the Crusaders win the 2004 Division V state title.

Then he went out of state, playing at North Central Junior College in Trenton, Mo., before becoming a central figure at NAIA school Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo.

Fantazia was a second-team pick in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, finished second in the league in assists (5.2 per game) and seventh in scoring (16.1).

While playing overseas was a primary goal of the 6-foot-4 guard, the way it happened was a whirlwind.

Fantazia credits friend and former teammate Steven Crawford with putting together a 3½-minute video of highlights that Crawford posted on youtube this spring.

The footage attracted offers from clubs in various countries, including Portugal.

"My family is real proud of its Portuguese heritage," Fantazia said. "I still have family there. They're real excited for me, especially the older generation."

Moncho Lopez is the coach of the Porto Ferpinta team as well as the national squad, which could bode well for Fantazia. He said it would be a "great honor" to play for Portugal in the Olympics in 2012.

For now, Portuguese Basketball League play begins Nov. 11. Fantazia hopes to learn from one of the country's top point guards, João Figueiredo, and fill whatever role the team asks.

"Everything has happened so fast," Fantazia said before joining the team earlier this month. "It's kind of surreal. I've never been the type of guy who gets all the attention. I'm not in it for the fame. I want my family to have what they need."

Terms of Fantazia's deal were not disclosed. He said he has received advice from many of his friends who play overseas — including Modesto's Omar Krayem (Lebanon) and Turlock's Benny Koochoie (Iran) — and Modesto Junior College assistant coach Steve Rocha, who played for Porto Ferpinta.

"He talked to me before I went (this summer) and told be what to expect," Fantazia said of Rocha. "They're real friendly, lots of handshakes, lots of smiles. The girls, like, do a lot of kisses on the cheek."

Fantazia said he's mostly felt support from family and friends, especially those in the basketball community who know how tough it is to play professionally.

He remembers conversations he had with Krayem and Koochoie about having professional careers.

To realize those dreams, though, is truly amazing.

"After college, there's thousands of players trying to continue to play," Fantazia said. "A lot of it is luck. To get this opportunity, it's a blessing."

This story was originally published September 29, 2009 at 2:59 AM with the headline "Fantazia follows his heart to Portugal."