Kings vs Hawks: Ep. 4 — Sydney’s Three-Peat Response To Wollongong’s 2001 Title
December 8, 2025
Kavossy Franklin
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 15/07/75
- Place of Birth: Houston, Texas (USA)
- Position: PG
- Height (CM): 188
- Weight (KG): 85
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: New México (1995-1996) / Howard (1996-1998) / Augusta (1998-1999)
- NBL DEBUT: 11/10/02
- AGE AT DEBUT: 27
- LAST NBL GAME: 14/02/09
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 33
- NBL History: Sydney 2003 | Hunter 2005 | South 2007 | Wollongong 2008-09
- Championships: 1
- Sydney (2003)
BIO: Kavossy Franklin was born and raised in Houston, Texas (USA) where he attended Alief Hastings High School.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Kavossy Franklin made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 27 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.
In his lone season with the Sydney Kings in 2002/03, Franklin helped take the Harbour City to their first NBL championship averaging 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. The duo of Franklin and Chris Williams were touted as one of the NBL’s best import duos ever by national coach Brian Goorjian.
HUNTER PIRATES
2004/05
In the Pirates second NBL season, Adrian Hurley was enticed out of semi-retirement to take on the role of head coach. Feeling that the team’s roster was weak and a direct result for their poor performance last season. Hurley retained only three players, Geordie Cullen, Brendan Mann and Josh Morgan from the previous season’s squad that won only two games.
Ben Melmeth (via New Zealand), Russell Hinder (via West Sydney), Brad Davidson (via Townsville), Damon Lowery (via Townville) and Larry Davidson formed the Pirates new look roster and imports Brian Wethers and Kavossy Franklin were signed to provide offensive scoring power.
Under the guidance of former Australian coach Adrian Hurley, the Pirates became a force to be reckoned with and after a slow start (1-4), the Pirates began reeling off victories against some of the league’s best team’s, including a away win over Perth (83-77) and defeating league leaders Wollongong (90–81). Ten games into the season and the Pirates sat in fifth spot on the ladder (5-5) with much of the credit going to the unselfish play of imports Brian Wethers (24.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) and Kavossy Franklin (20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals).
Weathers would go on to be selected in the All-NBL first team and win the league’s Most Valuble Player award and after winning the last two games of the season, Hunter would secure the final playoff berth and finish in eighth place (13-15).
In the Elimination Finals, however, Hunter fell short to Brisbane (99-113), a loss which ended playoff run.
Mann would appear in 13 games and average 4.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
SOUTH DRAGONS
2006/07
During the 2006/07 season, Franklin averaged 21.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists and was a part of the Dragons squad which finished in a seventh place with a record of 15-18.
After a season playing in Europe, Franklin return to play in Australia, this time signing with the South Dragons for their inaugural season. He reaplced import Christian Anderson who was released during the pre-season after the Dragons coaching staff realised they needed more help at shooting guard.
Although Franklin played well for the Dragons in their debut NBL season he was not offered a contract to return by new coach Shane Heal. Heal instead chose to replace Franklin with Wollongong Hawks import Cortez Groves and in a ‘trading places’ moment, Franklin then signed a deal to play with the Hawks, replacing his counterpart at the point.
WOLLONGONG HAWKS
2007/08
In 2007/08 Franklin averaged 21.7 points and 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, and helped the Hawks finish with a 9-21 record.
2008/09
In 2008/09, Franklin averaged 15.0 points and 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, as the Hawks finished in seventh place (11-19).
Kavossy Franklin played five seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Sydney Kings, Hunter Pirates, South Dragons and Wollongong Hawks. He averaged 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 164 NBL games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Voting for the @SydneyKings Most Iconic Import continues thanks to @Spalding 🏀👑
Have your say 👉 https://t.co/byqatjJm2n
And a reminder of some of their handy work in the Harbour City 👇 pic.twitter.com/Ca50aKICvc
— The NBL (@NBL) October 21, 2021
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 33 | Wollongong | 11-19 (7) | 30 | 1,121.0 | 450 | 104 | 130 | 24 | 80 | 25 | 2 | 72 | 65 | 166 | 372 | 45% | 37 | 86 | 43% | 81 | 114 | 71% | 53% | 50% | 28 |
| 2007-08 | 32 | Wollongong | 9-21 (11) | 30 | 1,283.0 | 651 | 160 | 146 | 34 | 126 | 36 | 3 | 92 | 70 | 223 | 519 | 43% | 49 | 151 | 32% | 156 | 214 | 73% | 52% | 48% | 30 |
| 2006-07 | 31 | South | 15-18 (7) | 34 | 1,347.0 | 736 | 150 | 93 | 40 | 110 | 31 | 1 | 74 | 89 | 268 | 566 | 47% | 62 | 164 | 38% | 138 | 175 | 79% | 57% | 53% | 32 |
| 2004-05 | 29 | Hunter | 15-17 (8) | 32 | 1,338.0 | 666 | 135 | 123 | 29 | 106 | 38 | 4 | 73 | 72 | 254 | 534 | 48% | 65 | 164 | 40% | 93 | 126 | 74% | 56% | 54% | 45 |
| 2002-03 | 27 | Sydney | 22-8 (1) | 38 | 1,492.0 | 665 | 163 | 138 | 35 | 128 | 38 | 2 | 93 | 80 | 242 | 540 | 45% | 78 | 212 | 37% | 103 | 143 | 72% | 55% | 52% | 30 | Totals | 164 | 6581 | 3168 | 712 | 630 | 162 | 550 | 168 | 12 | 404 | 376 | 1153 | 2531 | 45.6% | 291 | 777 | 37.5% | 571 | 772 | 74.0% | 55% | 51% | 45 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 33 | Wollongong | 11-19 (7) | 30 | 37.4 | 15.0 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 5.5 | 12.4 | 45% | 1.2 | 2.9 | 43% | 2.7 | 3.8 | 71% | 53% | 50% | 28 |
| 2007-08 | 32 | Wollongong | 9-21 (11) | 30 | 42.8 | 21.7 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 7.4 | 17.3 | 43% | 1.6 | 5.0 | 32% | 5.2 | 7.1 | 73% | 52% | 48% | 30 |
| 2006-07 | 31 | South | 15-18 (7) | 34 | 39.6 | 21.6 | 4.4 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 7.9 | 16.6 | 47% | 1.8 | 4.8 | 38% | 4.1 | 5.1 | 79% | 57% | 53% | 32 |
| 2004-05 | 29 | Hunter | 15-17 (8) | 32 | 41.8 | 20.8 | 4.2 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 7.9 | 16.7 | 48% | 2.0 | 5.1 | 40% | 2.9 | 3.9 | 74% | 56% | 54% | 45 |
| 2002-03 | 27 | Sydney | 22-8 (1) | 38 | 39.3 | 17.5 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 6.4 | 14.2 | 45% | 2.1 | 5.6 | 37% | 2.7 | 3.8 | 72% | 55% | 52% | 30 | Total | 164 | 40.1 | 19.3 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 7.0 | 15.4 | 45.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 37.5% | 1.8 | 4.7 | 74.0% | 55% | 51% | 45 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 45 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Upon leaving college, he played in the International Basketball Association and the United States Basketball League. He played for Washington (2000) and Adirondack (2002) in the USBL
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- France - Mulhouse (2000–2001) | Germany - Frankfurt (2005–2006) | Puerto Rico - Vaqueros de Bayamón (2008) | New Zealand - Harbour Heat (2010)
Kavossy Franklin spent the 2000–2001 season in France with Mulhouse, playing for the club after leaving college.
Kavossy Franklin spent the 2004–2005 season in Germany with Frankfurt after signing with the club mid-season in March 2005 to finish the year, and he re-signed to play the full 2005–2006 campaign, with the club announcing his signing on 30 September 2005 and noting he had sprained his ankle in practice and that guard Trent Whiting was signed for insurance while Franklin recovered.
Kavossy Franklin spent part of 2008 in Puerto Rico with Vaqueros de Bayamón, appearing in 8 games and totaling 47 points, which equated to 5.9 points per game during his stint with the BSN side.
Kavossy Franklin spent the 2010 season in New Zealand with the Harbour Heat after signing in March 2010, playing 17 games and averaging 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game as the Heat reached the playoffs, but Franklin and teammate Corey Webster missed the quarter-final against the Hawke’s Bay Hawks after being stood down for disciplinary reasons and Harbour lost 82–77 without the pair.
COLLEGE
Kavossy Franklin played college basketball at the University of New Mexico during the 1995-96 season before moving on to Howard College from 1996 through 1998 and then finishing at Augusta State (now Augusta University) in 1998-99, completing his eligibility in 1999.
Franklin suited up for New Mexico in 1995-96 as a junior guard in the Western Athletic Conference, appearing in 17 games with 3 starts and averaging 10.0 minutes per game while producing 2.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest, with his season shooting splits listed at 27.3% from the field, 35.3% from three-point range, and 58.8% at the free throw line.
That 1995-96 New Mexico team went 28-5 overall and 14-4 in WAC play to finish second in the conference standings, ended the year ranked 23rd in the final AP poll, and reached the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed in the East Region, defeating Kansas State 69-48 in the first round before losing 73-62 to Georgetown in the Round of 32, with Dave Bliss serving as head coach and the Lobos averaging 77.8 points scored and 69.5 points allowed per game across the season.
After his year at New Mexico, Franklin transferred into the junior-college ranks at Howard College from 1996-98 before moving to Augusta State for the 1998-99 season, where he closed his college career on a team that finished 19-10 overall and 13-3 in Peach Belt Conference play, tying for first place in the league standings as part of a Peach Belt title-winning squad (1999).
In that 1998-99 season at Augusta State, Franklin authored one of the biggest single-game scoring nights recorded for U.S. college players at the level, pouring in 49 points in a 124-120 double-overtime win over North Florida on December 12, 1998, and he also finished as Augusta’s year-by-year leader in free throws made and attempted by going 146-for-183 at the line for the season (79.8%).
AWARDS
- 4x All-NBL Third Team
Related
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