DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis men's basketball has added another player to the roster for the upcoming season in Cyril "CJ" Franklin Jr., head coach
Jim Les announced Thursday. Franklin Jr. transfers to UC Davis from the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), where he played one season for the Coyotes.
"We're thrilled to welcome CJ to the Aggie family," Les said. "He brings great size and length at the guard position, and he plays with a high motor that we love. CJ is dynamic in the open floor and gives us tremendous flexibility in the backcourt. His ability to defend multiple positions, especially as an elite on-ball defender, sets him apart. CJ's upside is through the roof, and we're excited about his future here at UC Davis."
Franklin Jr., a 6-foot-5 guard from Las Vegas, Nevada, dominated the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) during his lone season at the NJCAA Division I level. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 49.4% from the field for the Coyotes. His standout campaign included 17 double-digit scoring efforts, highlighted by a career-high 28 points against Arizona Western College, and 11 multi-steal games, featuring a career-best six steals vs. Phoenix College. Franklin Jr. also showcased his playmaking with 11 games of five or more assists, including a pair of eight-assist performances, and was a consistent presence on the boards from the guard position with 17 games grabbing five or more rebounds, ranking third on the team. His performance during his lone season with the Coyotes earned him ACCAC Freshman of the Year and all-conference accolades in the very competitive ACCAC.
Before his standout JUCO season, Franklin Jr. starred locally at Silverado High School in Las Vegas under his father, head coach Cyril Franklin Sr. As a senior, he was named First Team All-4A and an all-district selection by the Las Vegas Review-Journal after averaging 18.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Franklin Jr.'s combination of size, athleticism and defensive upside projects him as a versatile backcourt contributor for the Aggies. Franklin Jr. becomes the seventh player of the offseason to sign with the Aggies.
