Aurora – Time hasn’t come today for Stephen Franklin.
It could have last month for the senior at Aurora Central during the early signing period. It won’t until February if it’s for one sport. Or it could be just about any day before college classes begin in late summer if it’s for another, or, if he’s able, for two.
The native Philadelphian, who landed in the Denver area by way of Houston, passed – at least temporarily – on signing with the University of Colorado basketball team last month, a surprising development, and not just because the local schoolboy pipeline to the Buffaloes continues along at a trickle.
Franklin, a strapping 6-feet-5, 200 pounds and still growing, who can play big guard or small forward, made his unusual announcement last month after CU coach Ricardo Patton announced the 2006-07 season would be his finale in Boulder.
The two occurrences were directly related.
“I wanted to play for Coach Patton,” Franklin said this week. The Buffs, he said, “knew my situation that Patton was my ideal coach. Once (he said he was leaving), I had to switch my plans.”
And just like that, Franklin returned to fair recruiting game, including as a football player. He’s quite the target as a prospect at wide receiver. And he has said he will reconsider signing with the Buffs for basketball if the new coach displays interest.
Question is, which schools are realistically back in the picture and which sport will Franklin ultimately choose?
Franklin indicated recent interest from Washington, Illinois and UCLA covering both sports.
“I love football the best during football season and I love basketball the best during basketball season,” he said.
Which one loves him back and by which school will prove interesting. Ideally, he said, he will sign with a top college, test the waters for both sports, then pick one.
Who will pick Franklin? Is he a significant, multisport talent unexpectedly returned to the market for some lucky program to grab or will he have to settle for less than what he had in front of him last month?
Aurora Central boys basketball coach Bob Caton was among those put off by Franklin balking at the Buffs and warned one of the few basketball stars in the Class of 2007 that being re-recruited doesn’t necessarily create more interest or have a happy ending.
A kid who had a sure thing is certain he’s OK.
“I’m not worried about it, but I am worried about it,” Franklin said. “It’s not constantly on my mind.”
He has credentials. As a Class 4A football player, Franklin caught 38 passes in 2006 for six touchdowns and a 17.8-yard average. In 5A basketball, Franklin averaged 18 points in 2005-06 and displayed promise with an all-around game that included strength.
“Defensively, he can guard anyone from a 1 to almost a 4,” Caton said.
Franklin now must be on guard for his future. Avoiding injury and recreating the buzz that drew interest initially are musts. He will be patient in setting up recruiting visits while leading the Trojans into the basketball season. They are 2-0, ranked No. 3 in The Denver Post/9News 5A poll and eager to erase a second consecutive season of entering the Colorado tournament undefeated only to come up short of a championship.
Franklin doesn’t plan to come up short for his future.
“It’s a big decision, but at same time I’m doing what’s right for me. I’ll be somewhere,” Franklin said.
The aspiring businessman who carries better than a “B” average in school and envisions himself owning a chain of laundromats or restaurants doesn’t consider his situation “a gamble … I’ll keep working hard and more offers will come my way.”
Ultimately, he said, “as long as I get to go somewhere where I can play to compete against the best, that’s what it’s all about.”
He insists his time will come.
Staff writer Neil H. Devlin can be reached at 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com.
