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.
“On the collegiate level, I was really focusing on the smaller guards and studying their skill and patience to learn how to become a better point guard, so I enjoyed watching Jamal Shead and Zakai Zeigler do it and attempting to recreate it in my own game,” said Franklin. “I was also impressed by Jamal Shead’s defensive abilities. While watching the NBA, I see that other guards have comparable play styles to mine, but as a lefty, I pay special attention to Jalen Brunson in particular. His IQ is high for a point guard, but his potential to score at any time is awesome.”
In preparation for the next level, Franklin put in countless hours of work during the off-season, training with Smurf Millender (UTSA), Orlando Horton (Prairie View), Kayde Dotson (University of New Mexico), and Wesley Yates (University of Washington). These sessions focused not only on sharpening his shooting and defending but also on honing his court IQ—a crucial element for any successful point guard. Franklin also worked with renowned trainers such as John Lucas, David McMullen, Joe Danforth, Tre Bennett, and Myron Allen, all of whom helped him refine his understanding of the game.
“We largely focused on body control and getting into the paint to create for ourselves and others,” said Franklin. “We worked on pick and roll, as well as the ability to get to our favorite spots on the court. I’m continuing to work on being a leader by talking and communicating on and off the court, playing hard intense defense and using my high IQ as a point guard to engage people with great passes while also exhibiting my ability to score and hit open shots.”
Franklin’s basketball journey began at the age of two, and he quickly developed a passion for the sport. He played for some of the most prestigious youth teams, including Dickinson Select Gators, Gulf Coast Blue Chips, JL3, and RL9, gaining invaluable experience on both the EYBL and Under Armour circuits. Competing in these high-level circuits allowed him to test his skills against some of the best players in the country, providing a solid foundation for his future success.
“Although I played on great teams, I’ve always felt like it was a political issue, knowing that I should have been on the court more, but I was asked to take a lesser role on the team. I didn’t let it discourage me, I just kept believing in myself and trusting my dad and God,” said Franklin.
During his freshman year at Clear Brook High School, Franklin started on the junior varsity team but was promoted to varsity by the season’s end. He later attended St. Thomas and CE King high schools, where his hard work and determination paid off. In all, he became a three-year letterman, earning numerous accolades during his senior year, including 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-District, All-Tournament Team, and MVP of 6A Region III District 21.
Throughout his journey, Franklin has always carried with him the advice of his father, who taught him the acronym F.O.C.U.S.—”Following One Course Until Successful.” This mindset has been a driving force behind Franklin’s relentless pursuit of excellence, helping him overcome the challenges that come with being a smaller guard.
“My father has always kept that term around me, and it just helps me trust the process and allows me to be positive,” said Franklin.
As he embarks on his collegiate career at Fort Scott Community College, Franklin continues to follow that course, determined to prove that success on the basketball court is about more than just size—it’s about heart, skill, and an unwavering commitment to the game.
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)
