Jason Munz, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Sat, August 27, 2022 at 11:58 AM

Penny Hardaway may not be done tinkering with the 2022-23 Memphis basketball roster.

The fifth-year coach has expressed interest in combo guard Damaria Franklin (6-3, 200) – the former Illinois-Chicago star who entered the transfer portal Wednesday. Franklin told The Commercial Appeal Saturday that the Tigers are among the teams he is "considering."

Iowa State, Mississippi State, Arizona State and Kansas State are among the other programs showing the most interest in Franklin.

Franklin's career began at State Fair (Mo.) Community College, where he spent two seasons before transferring to Tennessee Tech. The Chicago native averaged 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in 21 games there before moving on to his hometown school. Franklin earned all-Horizon League honors last season at UIC, putting up 17.8 points and 6.9 rebounds a game.

If Franklin picks Memphis, all 13 of the Tigers' scholarships would be spoken for. Earlier this month, former SMU big man Jahmar Young Jr. announced he was transferring to Memphis only to back off his commitment several days later due to academic reasons. But, this week, Young said those issues were being ironed out. He said he will, in fact, transfer to Memphis, although he won't be immediately eligible. If Young completes 17 credit hours during the fall semester, he will be eligible to play beginning Dec. 17.

Franklin, who can score at all three levels, is perhaps best in the mid-range game. He shot 29.7% from three last season. But, inside the arc, Franklin connected on 53.3% of his 281 field goal attempts. He scored in double figures in all but two games at UIC and registered double-digits in rebounding four times.

Franklin's 2.5 assists per game was the third-best clip on the Flames roster, while his 36 steals (in 28 games) were most and his 24 blocks were No. 2 on the team.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

I’d rather we got a big man, but this guy would bring (even more) experience to our guard lineup.

I dont lnow, this kid looks like an absolute stud. Not quite triple double stats but very impressive.Take what you can get I suppose.

We are a bit shallow inside. Could use another big about right now. Looks like Dandridge and Lawson will both get lots of minutes. Wish we had signed CMo way back when.

That would be the 13th scholly - assuming Lomax and Jayden are both on scholly this year.

committed to Memphis

now we wait

(08-28-2022 08:43 PM)MemphisTigerPawr Wrote:  I dont lnow, this kid looks like an absolute stud. Not quite triple double stats but very impressive.Take what you can get I suppose.

We are a bit shallow inside. Could use another big about right now. Looks like Dandridge and Lawson will both get lots of minutes. Wish we had signed CMo way back when.

I'm a little slow today ... Who is CMo ?

(08-29-2022 12:33 PM)steves Wrote:  

(08-28-2022 08:43 PM)MemphisTigerPawr Wrote:  I dont lnow, this kid looks like an absolute stud. Not quite triple double stats but very impressive.Take what you can get I suppose.

We are a bit shallow inside. Could use another big about right now. Looks like Dandridge and Lawson will both get lots of minutes. Wish we had signed CMo way back when.

I'm a little slow today ... Who is CMo ?

Chris Moore at Auburn. 6'6" 230' dynamo out of West Memphis who has yet to see meaningful time at Auburn. We are just thin inside and it loljs like we could really use him this season. Reminiscent of Anthony Douglas/Marvin Alexander

(08-30-2022 10:20 AM)MemphisTigerPawr Wrote:  

(08-29-2022 12:33 PM)steves Wrote:  

(08-28-2022 08:43 PM)MemphisTigerPawr Wrote:  I dont lnow, this kid looks like an absolute stud. Not quite triple double stats but very impressive.Take what you can get I suppose.

We are a bit shallow inside. Could use another big about right now. Looks like Dandridge and Lawson will both get lots of minutes. Wish we had signed CMo way back when.

I'm a little slow today ... Who is CMo ?

Chris Moore at Auburn. 6'6" 230' dynamo out of West Memphis who has yet to see meaningful time at Auburn. We are just thin inside and it loljs like we could really use him this season. Reminiscent of Anthony Douglas/Marvin Alexander

He’s a bum.

EVERY college team can use more beef inside. There just isn't a ton out there.

This kid appears to be a stud. Hope he's a solid addition! GTG

(08-31-2022 08:54 AM)gusrob Wrote:  EVERY college team can use more beef inside. There just isn't a ton out there.

This kid appears to be a stud. Hope he's a solid addition! GTG

The player Young is the inside beef depth. Role player.

The OP is about a combo guard who will likely be a starter.

(08-30-2022 10:20 AM)MemphisTigerPawr Wrote:  

(08-29-2022 12:33 PM)steves Wrote:  

(08-28-2022 08:43 PM)MemphisTigerPawr Wrote:  I dont lnow, this kid looks like an absolute stud. Not quite triple double stats but very impressive.Take what you can get I suppose.

We are a bit shallow inside. Could use another big about right now. Looks like Dandridge and Lawson will both get lots of minutes. Wish we had signed CMo way back when.

I'm a little slow today ... Who is CMo ?

Chris Moore at Auburn. 6'6" 230' dynamo out of West Memphis who has yet to see meaningful time at Auburn. We are just thin inside and it loljs like we could really use him this season. Reminiscent of Anthony Douglas/Marvin Alexander

OK ... I remember him now. I'm shocked he's still there.

This kid is gonna contribute this season...

Looks like he can fill the Tyler Harris role off the bench, explosive scorer coming off the bench.

He appears to be able to make a layup.

(09-02-2022 07:52 AM)SeñorTiger Wrote:  Looks like he can fill the Tyler Harris role off the bench, explosive scorer coming off the bench.

Likely to start

(09-02-2022 09:16 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(09-02-2022 07:52 AM)SeñorTiger Wrote:  Looks like he can fill the Tyler Harris role off the bench, explosive scorer coming off the bench.

Likely to start

yep

(09-02-2022 09:16 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(09-02-2022 07:52 AM)SeñorTiger Wrote:  Looks like he can fill the Tyler Harris role off the bench, explosive scorer coming off the bench.

Likely to start

Possibly. It will likely depend on how he is as a defender and I know nothing about him defensively.

(09-02-2022 10:40 AM)k2tigers Wrote:  

(09-02-2022 09:16 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(09-02-2022 07:52 AM)SeñorTiger Wrote:  Looks like he can fill the Tyler Harris role off the bench, explosive scorer coming off the bench.

Likely to start

yep

We may never lose another game.

(09-02-2022 12:52 PM)southpaw1 Wrote:  

(09-02-2022 10:40 AM)k2tigers Wrote:  

(09-02-2022 09:16 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(09-02-2022 07:52 AM)SeñorTiger Wrote:  Looks like he can fill the Tyler Harris role off the bench, explosive scorer coming off the bench.

Likely to start

yep

We may never lose another game.

Ever.