FRANKLIN TAPPED AS NJCAA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

After a week averaging better than 27 points and posting two career-high scoring totals and a career-first double-double, Hutchinson Community College men's basketball's Aaron Franklin was named the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball's National Player of the Week, the national office released on Wednesday.

A 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman from Kansas City, Franklin had opening-week point total of 28 points against Fort Scott, 34 points against No. 7 Triton and 20 against NEO.

Franklin is the first Blue Dragon to earn national weekly honors since Matt Mayers in 2021.

Franklin averaged 26.7 points per game and shot 53.7 percent overall and was 10 of 35 (40.0) percent from 3-point range last week.

In the Blue Dragons 113-105 win over No. 7 Triton, Franklin poured in a career-high 34 points on 16 of 23 shooting. Against NEO, Franklin had his first career double-double with 20 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.

Franklin averaged 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.