Personal
Full Name: William Edward Franklin
Birthdate: April 5, 1985
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Parents: Carlos and Margaret Flentroy
Siblings: Brittney Winters (20), Justin Phillips (13)
Major: Sociology
High School Coach: Johnny “Hawk” Carter
Junior College Coach: Scott Schumacher
Honors & Awards
Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference
2007
Missouri
Valley Conference All-Bench Team
2006
Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week
Dec. 26, 2006
2005-06 (Junior)
? Was forced to sit out the first six games of the season by the NCAA due to an
inadvertent violation of the “extra benefit” rule during the summer.
? After scoring a total of two points in his first five games, Franklin averaged 6.7 ppg in the last
19 games, including an 18-point outburst Jan. 18 at Creighton.
? Averaged 8.0 points and 3.0 assists in Bradley’s three NCAA Tournament games and made the signature shot of the team’s postseason run, a 30-foot halftime buzzer-beater in the first-round win versus Kansas.
? Bradley’s primary back-up point guard, Franklin ranked fourth among the league leaders with
a 1.77 assists-to-turnover ratio.
? Padded his assists-to-turnover ratio in Auburn Hills by dishing out seven assists against only two turnovers.
? In addition to his point guard role, Franklin also played his way onto the court with starter
Daniel Ruffin and often times as part of a 3-guard lineup with Tony Bennett.
? Shot 45.0 percent from the field overall and was 50.8 percent in league play.
At Kilgore College
? One of two sophomores on a team that featured 10 freshmen, Franklin was the point guard for a Kilgore College squad that managed a 20-10 overall record.
? Franklin averaged 8.4 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Runnin’ Rangers.
? Shot 45.6 percent from the field, including 36.4 percent (24-66) from 3-point territory and 71.3
percent from the free throw line.
At Murray State college
? Franklin began his college career at Murray State College in Tishimingo, Okla.
? Playing at shooting guard, Franklin averaged 15 points per game as a freshman for the Aggies and earned second-team all-conference honors.
? Earned a spot on the Dean’s List during each of his two semesters and was named “Mr. Murray State College.”
At Hastings H.S.
? After seeing only limited action during his first varsity season as a junior, Franklin was the starting point guard as a senior for Hastings in 2002-03 and led the Bears to a 34-5 record and a spot in the regional championship game.
? Averaged 12 points, seven assists and 3.7 steals per game during his senior season.
? Named to the all-tournament team during each of the three regular-season tournaments Hastings played in 2002-03 and was named MVP of the Dr. Pepper/Coca-Cola Tournament in Dallas after helping the Bears become the first team from outside of Dallas to win the tournament since 1955.
? An all-state selection, Franklin was a starting point guard in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star game.
Personal
? Franklin’s sister, Brittany Winters, is a junior at Stanford University and is studying business.
? Younger brother, Justin Phillips (12), resides in Houston.
In His Own Words
On his halftime buzzer-beater in the NCAA Tournament first-round versus Kansas ...
After the shot went in I felt a lot of joy and some re-assurance of how hard we worked, so I celebrated with my teammates.
On having a sister who attends Stanford ...
I’m very proud of my sister. I watched her grow up to be a big success. When we talk on the phone, she always tells me how much homework she has to get done. My sister is a woman with business to handle and she’s getting it done.
On his role for the 2006-07 Braves ...
My role this year on the team is to be a leader on and off the court. I feel the level of my play must increase tremendously. I’m filling in for Tony Bennett and the great thing Tony gave me before he left was that he played with his heart, and that helped take us a long way.
On his lack of varsity playing time prior to his senior season in high school ...
I never lost hope in high school. I was always taught to be patient and great things would come.
Quick Answers
The most famous person to attend my HS ...
Brooke Valentine (R&B recording artist)
Superman power I would most like to have ...
X-ray vision
My best non-basketball talent ...
Swimming
Nicknames ...
Will the Thrill, Usher, Willy Beaming
I can’t imagine living without ...
My family
Five Questions
with Lee Hall (WEEK-TV Sports Director)
What was the key to Bradley’s Sweet 16 run?
I think it was the way we stuck together and all challenged each other. And we played great defense.
How did the NCAA Tournament experience affect you?
It just gave me hope, made me feel good and made me feel like all that work paid off.
What’s the best thing about being a Bradley Basketball player?
I feel its the love you receive from the fans.
Describe your transition to Division I basketball.
It wasn’t that hard. I’ve been playing competitive basketball since high school, but maybe the speed and intensity of the games increased.
What do you miss most about Texas?
I miss the Southern food that I used to have all the time.
