Hoosiers Now

Indiana Guard Armaan Franklin Enters Transfer Portal, Will 'Keep Options Open'

Armaan Franklin averaged 11.4 points per game during his sophomore season at Indiana, and his mother said entering the transfer portal is merely to keep his ''options open'' until a new coach is hired.

Dylan Wallace

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana guard Armaan Franklin has entered the transfer portal on Tuesday morning.

Franklin becomes the second Indiana player to enter the transfer portal after Archie Miller was fired one week ago, joining Al Durham, who entered as a grad transfer.

Franklin took a huge leap during his sophomore season, scoring 11.4 points per game compared to his 3.7 points during his freshman year.

Franklin's mother, India, told the Indianapolis Star that, "It’s the uncertainty, and just keeping your options open, really. It’s not that he’s definitely leaving IU. It’s more that you’ve got to cover all your bases."

Franklin became one of Indiana's most reliable players last season, which was evident when Miller put the ball in his hands in the final possession against Iowa, and Franklin hit a long two to defeat the Hawkeyes at home.

Unfortunately for Franklin, he spent the latter half of the season dealing with an ankle injury, and then later injured his Achilles on the other foot, which kept him out of several Indiana games late in the season. Without Franklin on the floor, the Hoosiers struggled and lost their final six games.

Franklin tried to tough it out in Indiana's last game of the season against Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament, and he scored six points in 30 minutes.

Should Franklin leave, it would be a huge loss for Indiana, who is still waiting to hear from some other key players on whether they will be back for next season. He became their best perimeter defender this season.

Indiana fired coach Archie Miller last Monday, and the search for a new coach continues. 

Related stories on coaching search

  • WOODSON QUIET: Former Indiana star Mike Woodson, currently an assistant coach with the New York Knicks, has emerged as a candidate for the IU job, but he didn't want to say much on Monday morning. CLICK HERE
  • STEVENS SAYS NO AGAIN: For the second time in a week, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens says he's flattered by interest from Indiana, but plans to continue coaching the Celtics in the NBA. >>> CLICK HERE
  • TOM BREW COLUMN: Sometimes in coaching searches, no doesn't mean no, so this isn't over until it's over. >>> CLICK HERE
  • ARCHIE MILLER FIRED: Indiana fires Archie Miller on Monday after four subpar seasons at the helm of the Hoosiers program. >>> CLICK HERE
  • SCOTT DOLSON VIDEO: Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson met with the media Monday and explained why he fired Archie Miller, how tough the decision way, and his vision for the future. Watch all 26 minutes here. >>> CLICK HERE
  • TOM BREW COLUMN: Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson didn't let that big buyout get in the way of making the right decision for the basketball program. >>> CLICK HERE
  • KEITH SMART CHECKS BOXES: Former Indiana great Keith Smart checks a lot of boxes to be Indiana's next head coach. He's a below-the-radar candidate. >>> CLICK HERE
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Dylan Wallace
DYLAN WALLACE

Dylan Wallace is a reporter for Sports Illustrated Indiana. He is a 2020 graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, and is from Crown Point, Ind.

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