THE FLATS – Ja’von Franklin, an All-Sun Belt Conference forward in the 2021-22 season at South Alabama, has signed a grant-in-aid to join the Georgia Tech program and will enroll for the summer term.
The 6-7, 220 pound forward from Little Rock, Ark., was South Alabama’s third-leading scorer last season, averaging 12.2 points per game while leading the team in rebounding at 7.8 per game. He shot 65.5 percent from the floor and 63.9 percent from the foul line while leading USA in blocked shots (43). He started 31 of 32 games played, averaging 28 minutes per game, and helped lead the Jaguars to a 21-12 overall record and a 9-7 mark in the Sun Belt Conference, good for fifth place. South Alabama earned an invitation to The Basketball Classic post-season tournament in Mobile, Ala., where they defeated Southeastern Louisiana and USC Upstate before falling in overtime to Coastal Carolina in the semifinals.
“We’re excited to have Ja’von join our program,” said head coach Josh Pastner. “He’s an under-the-radar, sneaky good player who had a great year at South Alabama and was successful against good teams. He’ll be a great fit with our team.”
Javon Franklin ladies and gentlemen! 🤝😤#BurnTheBoats pic.twitter.com/ZsODoNdTBy
— South Alabama Men’s Basketball (@WeAreSouth_MBB) November 10, 2021
Franklin scored in double figures in 22 of the 32 games he played for South Alabama, scoring a season-high 28 against Upstate in The Basketball Classic. He posted double-doubles in eight games, including an 18-point, 12-rebound effort at Wichita State and an 11-point, 11-reboubd game at Alabama early in the season.
He appeared in 28 games over his two seasons at Auburn, 23 as a junior, recording a career-best eight points, four rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes at Arkansas, as well as six points, seven rebounds and three blocks at LSU. He averaged 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds as a freshman (2018-19) at Holmes (Miss.) Community College, redshirting the next season before transferring to Auburn.
Franklin was an all-state selection on the 6A level in Arkansas as a senior at Little Rock Parkview Magnet High School.
Ja’von Franklin, shown here dunking against Alabama, posted double-doubles in eight games last season, including this road game against the Crimson Tide. (photo courtesy of South Alabama athletics)
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