It was a good run while it lasted, but the stream of good news flowing out of Indiana’s program ended on Thursday night.
That’s when rising junior guard Armaan Franklin announced that he’s headed to Virginia, becoming only the second of IU’s six NCAA Transfer Portal entrants to follow through and leave Bloomington.
Franklin’s departure means the Hoosiers will be without their best long-distance shooter from last season, when the 6-foot-4 Indianapolis native shot 42.4% from 3-point range. In averaging 11.6 points per game as a sophomore, Franklin became the second-most improved scorer in the Big Ten (+7.7) while starting 20 of the 22 games in which he appeared and posting 2.1 assists per contest. He was also one of IU’s best defensive players, taking on tough assignments and standing out as the Hoosiers’ best all-around player in their backcourt.
Franklin did it all while battling foot/lower leg injuries throughout Big Ten play. IU won only one of the five games that Franklin missed this past season.
“Excited about the next chapter in my hoops life,” Franklin said in a message posted to Twitter. “Still, have to say a big thanks to the IU community, fans and my teammates for all their support. Know that I appreciate you all so much.”
Of the six Hoosiers to put their names in the portal, Franklin and Al Durham (Providence) were the only players who opted to leave IU. Race Thompson, Jordan Geronimo, Khristian Lander and Parker Stewart each removed their names from the database after considering their options.
With Franklin gone, IU’s returning backcourt currently includes Lander, Stewart, Rob Phinisee, Anthony Leal and Trey Galloway. The Hoosiers also added a transfer commitment from former Pitt point guard Xavier Johnson on Wednesday.