Spring Signings

Spring Signings#14200

By Sly Fox - May 2nd, 2006, 4:35 pm

- May 2nd, 2006, 4:35 pm #14200

While neither of these announcements come as even a remote surprise to this boartd, here is the official release on BJ & Larry:

Flames Sign Franklin And Jenkins To National Letters Of Intent

May 2, 2006 · Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University head men’s basketball coach Randy Dunton has announced the signing of Larry Franklin and B.J. Jenkins to national letters of intent for the 2006-07 season.

"There is genuine excitement in adding two individuals of Larry's and B.J.'s quality to our university and program,” stated Dunton. “Coach Alexis Sherard and our staff did a tremendous job in identifying and recruiting these special families to our Liberty community."

Franklin is a 6-1, point/shooting guard from Mansfield, Texas, and is transferring to Liberty from Eastern Oklahoma State Community College in Wilburton, Okla. Franklin, who will have two years of eligibility to play for the Flames, started his collegiate career at Oklahoma City University as a freshman during the 2004-05 season.

“Larry's decision to join our program is a big step forward,” commented Dunton on Franklin. “His character and team attitude are huge assets to our future. Larry has tremendous athletic abilities, is a confident perimeter shooter and usually defends the opponents best perimeter player.

Franklin averaged 18.0 points per game and 7.0 assists per contest last year at Eastern Oklahoma. He started in the Region 2 and Region 6 All-Star games and was named to the second-team all-region squad.

At Oklahoma City, Franklin averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 assists per game as a freshman starter, while leading OCU to the NAIA National Tournament where the Stars advanced to the Elite 8.

Franklin graduated from Mansfield High School in Arlington, Texas, where he averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 assists per game as a senior, while helping his team to the state regional tournament. The combo guard also played AAU basketball for the Texas Bluechips under the tutelage of head coach Mitch Malone in 2004.

“I feel that coming to Liberty is a great opportunity for me to grow as a basketball player and as a person,” commented Franklin. “I’m looking forward to playing for the coaches and with my future teammates.”

Jenkins is a 6-1 shooting guard from Virginia Beach, Va., who graduated from Green Run High School. Jenkins has been a three-year starter for the Stallions where he finished his career with 1,357 points (17.4 per game average), 506 rebounds, 511 assists and 383 steals.

“B.J. is as dedicated player to his individual daily workouts as we have had at Liberty,” said Dunton on Jenkins. “A bona fide gym rat who plays with a gifted intelligence. BJ is a skilled shooter with deep range and brings passing abilities to the team that will bolster our point guard play.”

Jenkins is a three-time first-team All-Beach District selection, while garnering a spot on the second-team All-Tidewater Area and All-Eastern Region squads during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

Jenkins was a McDonald’s All-American nominee during his senior year where he averaged 21.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 5.8 steals per game for Green Run. During his senior campaign, Jenkins shot 51.4 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from three-point range and 89.5 percent from the line and was the only prep player in the state to record consecutive quadruple-doubles during the year.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to play at Liberty University,” stated Jenkins. “All of my family and friends are excited for me. It was the best fit out of all the schools recruiting me. It is a blessing to be part of the Liberty family.”