Ysabella Fontleroy: Roommates, Family, and Why Baylor

Ysabella (Bella) Fontleroy discusses the reasons for committing to Baylor; her fellow freshman roommate Kyla Abraham; how to describe her game and some background into her close knit family

Interview Bullet Points

• Bella decided to give Baylor more consideration after a 150 minute conversation with Nicki Collen and realizing what an incredible basketball mind and caring coach she was.  Bella already had a relationship with Coach Greene and Coach Pavlech.  She didn’t know Coach Cummings well.  But after a visit to campus, she realized Baylor was the place for her.  
• She is rooming with Kyla Abraham and they already have formed a great friendship.  She doesn’t have a car so they walk everywhere which has been great.  She had an idea of what to expect having two parents that played basketball for Missouri State.  
• Parents have a track record of excellence, dad went to Sweet 16, mom to the Final 4.  Family rule is to have a seat at the table, you have to have accomplished something or in pursuit of something great.  
• Asked her if faith was a reason she chose Baylor- wearing a shirt that said “Heaven is my home, I’m just here recruiting.”  She said the Christian atmosphere was a big consideration in why she chose Baylor and the athletic department’s focus on developing the whole person.  
• She wants to do something in sports communications after her playing days are over.  She loves doing mentorship programs and wants to be involved doing that at Baylor.  She has an older brother at 24 and a younger brother at 11.  
• She describes herself as a forward with guard skills.  She loves to shoot 3s, wants to be a 70% plus free throw shooter.  Nicki describes her as crazy smart, cerebral, has some of the same tendencies as Caitlin Bickle.  Good help side defender, takes charges, good communicator.  Great motor.  
• Bella says her knee is 100%.  If she could take away one part of teammates games, she would want Aijha’s relentlessness and Sarah/Jaden’s point guard IQ.  Big goal setter, uses a vision board.  Wants a Big12 championship, Final 4 and a shot at a national championship.  She would love to make All Big12 frosh.  
• She has a few rivalries within the Big12 that she is looking forward to.  She won’t share any names to not provide bulletin board material- haha.  
• She is more of a fan of the WNBA than the NBA and discusses why.  
• Bella started taking up the guitar in 2019 and likes to play as a diversion away from basketball.  She and Kyla are both clean which works great as roommates.  Bella thinks her wingspan is around 6 feet.