June 17, 2010

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee standout Ricky Franklin earned a second workout with the Milwaukee Bucks today.

Franklin, who also worked out for the team on June 3, was joined by a stellar group of players. Three of the six were pegged as possible first-round picks by Bucks Director of Scouting Billy McKinney, including Devin Ebanks of West Virginia, Damion James of Texas and Quincy Pondexter of Washington. Marqus Blakely of Vermont and Aubrey Coleman of Houston also joined Franklin at the workout.

Franklin, a Milwaukee native, earned All-Horizon League Second Team honors for the Panthers this past season. The point guard started every game, leading UWM in scoring and three-pointers made while standing second in rebounds. In the process, he helped Milwaukee to just the 10th 20-win season in school history.

After a strong showing in his first go-around with the Bucks, the organization felt it was important to give Franklin another opportunity to display his skills against high-level competition.

"(We're) just giving him an opportunity to get accustomed to working out against draftable players," McKinney said. "He's here locally, it's very good for him and again, it's consistent with our theme of trying to work with players in the state that are seniors that might not have opportunities to workout with NBA teams."

Franklin was grateful for another chance to perform in front of NBA coaches and executives and pleased with how he performed.

"(It) was even better talent than last time, way better talent. It was a big honor," Franklin said. "I think I performed way better. I didn't get taken out of the workout this time for cramping up. I think I got myself in better shape in the last two weeks and I performed way better than I did last time."

This past season at UWM, he played every minute of a game three times, including all 45 minutes of an overtime win over Wright State in January. He led the league in minutes played and played 37 or more minutes in 13 of 18 regular-season league contests. Franklin had a six-game run in January that saw him make 37 of 70 shots overall, including 21 of 43 from three-point range, while averaging 19.7 points per game. He also posted ten 20-point efforts, including 20 or more in consecutive games from Jan. 16-24.

His career tallies include 125 games and 110 starts. He finished his four seasons with 1,291 points to go with 492 rebounds, 331 assists and 114 steals.

Now Franklin awaits the next step, be it further workouts, a spot in the NBA's Summer League, a contract offer overseas, or all of the above.

"I'm looking for an opportunity," Franklin said. "I'm trying to work to get a shot to show other teams what I can do, show Milwaukee what I can do. So (I'm) really just trying to get my name out there and perform for other teams."