The Recruiting Guy

High-flying Franklin impresses hometown crowd

Parkview's Javon Franklin (22) steals the ball from Milles' Quawn Marshall during the 5A State Championship Game on Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Hot Springs.

Former Little Rock Parkview forward Javon Franklin had a successful return to his hometown as he and Holmes Community College defeated Arkansas Baptist College 97-78 at Dunbar Recreation Center Monday night.

"It was a good feeling to come home in front of friends and family," Franklin said. "It's always a good feeling."

Franklin, 6-6, 225, led the Bulldogs with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 4 steals and 4 assists with Arkansas associate head coach Melvin Watkins at court side.

"It's a good experience knowing they're still checking me out and coming to the gym, especially coming to Little Rock all the way from Fayetteville," said Franklin.

The athletic Franklin is a high-flying rebounder and is known to excite crowds with his thunderous dunks. He had several against Arkansas Baptist and when driving to the basket, the crowd would often rise to its feet in anticipation of a highlight dunk.

"Everybody was waiting on me to do a signature dunk," said Franklin with a smile. "Every time I jump, everybody just knows it's a dunk or block, either one."

Holmes Coach Jason Flanigan, who played for his father Al at Little Rock Parkview before going to Ole Miss, was glad to add Franklin to his program.

"I've been following Javon because he played for my dad," Flanigan said. "I've followed him for years and one thing we needed to add to our program was a shot blocker. We've never really had a real shot blocker and with his athletic ability and jumping ability he brings that to the table. "

In addition to the Hogs, Franklin is also drawing interest from Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Kansas and Murray State.

He talks to Razorback freshman Darius Hall, Daniel Gafford and Khalil Garland, his teammate at Parkview. He hopes to join to them in 2019.

"I'm still trying to be a Razorback," Franklin said. "That would be a great experience."

Franklin is averaging 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 block shots and 1.8 assists in 21 minutes of play a game this season.

"Mainly, I'm working on my ball handling and three-point shot," Franklin said. "That's what I want to get down first to advance my game to the next level."


The Battle on Barrow basketball tournament set for Friday and Saturday at Little Rock Parkview will showcase four boys and girls teams along with two Arkansas signees and a couple of underclassmen.

Razorback guard signee Isaiah Joe, 6-4, 170, and Fort Smith Northside will take on Mills and promising freshman guard Madison Peaster, 6-1, 170, at 7 p.m. Friday. Hog forward signee Ethan Henderson, 6-9, 190, and Parkview will take on Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering Phoenix at 9 p.m.

Peaster made the top 60 of The Pangos All-South Frosh/Soph Camp that featured more than 200 of the region's best prospects in Lewisville, Texas, about a month ago.

Fort Smith Northside power forward Jaylin Williams, 6-9, 215, is a sophomore to keep an eye on.

The championship and third-place games will be played on Saturday.

Girls teams from Parkview, Little Rock Central, Conway and Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering Phoenix will be participating.

For more information, go to realdealbasketball.com.

Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com

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Sports on 11/19/2017