In a world where size often dictates success on the basketball court, CE King graduate J’Mar Franklin, a talented 6-foot guard is proving that heart, dedication, and skill can outweigh any physical limitations.
Despite being a smaller guard, Franklin has carved out a place for himself at Fort Scott Community College, where he is quickly making a name for himself.
My plan is to get better and put up great numbers while leading the team to a championship.
J’Mar Franklin
“The coaching staff was a key factor in my decision,” said Franklin. “The love they poured upon me and their genuine concern for my growth meant a lot. Coach Matt Glover saw something in me as a point guard and wanted me to take charge and lead them. My plan is to get better and put up great numbers while leading the team to a championship.”
Franklin’s journey to collegiate basketball was anything but straightforward. The path for smaller guards is notoriously difficult. They often don’t meet the “eye test” that scouts and coaches use to determine a player’s potential. However, instead of becoming discouraged when others around him were signing to bigger schools, Franklin chose to double down on his efforts. He studied the games of smaller yet dominant guards like Jamal Shead, who now plays for the Toronto Raptors, and Zakai Zeigler, a standout at the University of Tennessee. Both players, like Franklin, have had to excel in every aspect of the game to compensate for their lack of height.
About J’Mar Franklin:
Class: 2024
IG: @Iamshiftyjmar1
Twitter: @Iamshiftyjmar1
Position: Guard
Height & weight: 6-feet-0, 170 pounds
Players he studies: Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors), Zakai Zeigler (The University of Tennessee), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
Favorite artist: Drake
Status: Committed to Fort Scott Community College
Favorite subject: Algebra 2
Shout-outs: My Family, Mom, Dad, My brothers (team)