NBLC Alumni: Franklin Session
6’2
Guard
From Los Angeles
Tenure: 2017-18
2018 Newcomer of the Year
Franklin Session's journey from obscurity to playing a starring role in the NBL Canada is an unconventional rags-to-riches story that proves real talent can not be held down.
At prep level he first played for Saddleback community college in Mission Viejo, California, then joined the Weber State Wildcats in Ogden, Utah. Playing alongside NBA star Damian Lillard, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and was named Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year. He ended his NCAA career with the Cal State Golden Eagles and was drafted by NBA D-League team the Los Angeles D-Fenders in 2011, but ended up cut.
After which, he decided not to pursue professional basketball, instead focusing on his family and career. He continued to play pick-up games and was encouraged by friends and family - and the occasional NBA stars he played with and against - to join the pro-am Drew League. This proved to be a good move, as Session went on to become one of the most successful players in Drew League history and the first three-time recipient of the league's MVP award.
In 2017, Session was offered his first professional contract by Island Storm head coach Tim Kendrick. He made an immediate impression, making a double-double in his first regular season game, with fifteen more to follow in a season where he quickly became a starter for the Storm and one of the most talked about imports in the league.
His first highlight game in Canada came on January 27th, where he scored a season-best 28 points, and on March 18th he scored 23 points, grabbed 14 total rebounds and dished 11 assists, both in wins over the Cape Breton Highlanders. He finished the 2017-18 season averaging 19.6 points per game - the sixth highest average of the season - and won the Newcomer of the Year award.
Having now unlocked his true potential, more doors started to open for Session. He went on to join Qatari team Al-Gharafa, averaging a double-double in the 2018-19 season, also being named Guard of the Year. In the summer of 2019 he became co-captain of Killer 3's in the Big3 league, playing on a team rich in NBA experience, he reached the final but the Killer 3's lost the title game 50-39.
After playing the following season with Jeoutai in Taiwan, he re-signed with Al-Gharafa in December 2020. Having spent so long in the basketball wilderness, Session went on to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way and if putting up maximum effort to make his every moment on the court count.
Picture: Franklinsession.com
