Memphis, Penny Hardaway land UIC transfer Damaria Franklin

Illinois-Chicago transfer Damaria Franklin has committed to Memphis, he told On3.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound shooting guard from Chicago averaged 17.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during the 2021-22 season. UIC finished 14-16 overall and 9-10 in the Horizon League.

Franklin entered the transfer portal last week, garnering interest from programs such as Iowa State, DePaul, Alabama, Arizona State, Kansas State, and others according to Hoop Scoop Media.

The Tigers will host Franklin on an official visit Tuesday, August 30th.

Franklin is a two-time transfer, as he began his college career at Tennessee Tech. In the 2020-21 season, Franklin averaged 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest for the Golden Eagles.

Franklin on his commitment to Memphis

“My reason for choosing Memphis is that I would be getting coached and learning from one of the great point guards in the game of basketball, (Penny Hardaway,” Franklin said to On3. “The conversations I had with the coaching staff and coach Penny were just more than basketball. It’s about building a relationship with the coaches.

“They fit my style of play on both sides of the floor. I have been in Tennessee for a year and the support from the Memphis fans to the community was just amazing so I can’t wait to put the Memphis Tiger jersey on!”

Damaria Franklin becomes the sixth newcomer to Memphis’ 2022 roster. He joins Kendric Davis (19.4 PPG at SMU), Elijah McCadden (11.7 PPG at Georgia Southern), Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (4.7 PPG at UT-Arlington), Keonte Kennedy (14.1 PPG at UTEP), and Jahmar Young Jr. (2.0 PPG at SMU).

Last season, Memphis finished 22-11 overall and 13-5 in conference play. They entered the NCAA tournament as a 9 seed before losing in the second round.