Franklin transforming his game

Once considered an undersized power player, three star 2009 prospect Roger Franklin made big strides this summer in becoming a legitimate perimeter threat. The 6-foot-5, 213-pound small forward from Duncanville (Texas) High School hasn't lost his power game, however.

Although he has been a name on the national radar since early in his career, the rap on Franklin has been that his game just won't translate. Despite his production, how is a 6-foot-5 inside player be going to be successful at the high major level?

This summer Franklin proved that not only can he get results against high major interior players but that he can also score the ball consistently from the mid-range and create his shot off the dribble. At the NIKE Hoop Jamboree he was one of the top scorers and he was consistently productive for Texas Select on the 17-under circuit.

"I realized that being a power forward at 6'5 was not going to be easy against guys who are 6'9," said Franklin. "I saw it as a good challenge to extend my game from being just a power player to more of a finesse player. Over the whole summer I began transforming into a small forward and my next challenge is to transform into a shooting guard. When people as me what position I play, I tell them I'm one of the best post up guards out there."

Schools in the Big Ten are taking notice of Franklin's inside/out approach to the game. Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have offered along with Utah. Also on his school list are Kansas, Marquette, USC and Miami.

Franklin has continued to put up solid numbers for his undefeated Duncanville team. Averaging 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks, Franklin said the focus of the team is to do something special this year.

"We're taking it game by game, day by day, and eventually we want to end up with a national championship," he said. "The season wouldn't necessarily be a failure if we don't get it, but we like to set our goals high."

Duncanville has a big game coming up Wednesday on the SMU campus when they take on famed Oak Hill Academy, who is trying to shake off back to back losses.