Armaan Franklin transferring to Virginia

  • 04/08/2021 7:40 pm in

Sophomore guard Armaan Franklin announced Thursday night that he will transfer to Virginia. Franklin initially entered the transfer portal following the firing of Archie Miller.

Franklin was one of the most improved players in the Big Ten last season, averaging 11.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game for the Hoosiers. He was one of Indiana’s most reliable players throughout the year.

But midway through the season, Franklin suffered an ankle injury and was sidelined for two weeks. When he returned, he didn’t quite perform to the level that he displayed earlier in the year. Despite being hampered, he still provided a significant lift to the Hoosiers, like when he hit a game-winning pull-up jumpshot to beat Iowa.

In a late February game against Rutgers, Franklin landed awkwardly and hurt his right foot, a separate injury from his rolled ankle. After missing a few more games, he appeared in Indiana’s season-ending loss to Rutgers in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Then, shortly after Miller was fired, Franklin entered the transfer portal, reportedly hearing from Xavier, Butler, Minnesota, Louisville, Penn State, Clemson, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Georgia, and Virginia among others.

“We want to make sure that while they’re searching we’re doing our due diligence as well, in terms of fostering relationships,” India Franklin, Armaan’s mother, told Inside the Hall after he entered the portal. “…Everything is happening so fast so we just want to make sure that we have all of our options available.”

On Thursday, Franklin announced he will be leaving Bloomington after two years with the program. Initially, there were six Hoosiers in the transfer portal, four of which have now returned to IU. Al Durham departed for Providence and now Franklin is gone, too.

The Hoosiers still have a lot of options in the backcourt with Khristian Lander, Rob Phinisee, Anthony Leal, Trey Galloway, Xavier Johnson and Parker Stewart.

If Joey Brunk returns next season, Indiana still has two available scholarships to fill. It’s likely they’ll continue to pursue options in the transfer portal.

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