Chaz Franklin, who grew up in Point Breeze, landed his director of player development for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky job thanks to his Philadelphia connections, writes Mike Jensen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Franklin was one of the big-time players in Philadelphia when he was a kid, but in “turnovers and missed shots,” he joked.

However, he was too stubborn to find a new sport, so he continued to play at Central High. Then he walked on at Hampton, before transferring to an NAIA school. After he got his degree, he ended up playing overseas professionally for 15 years.

When he ran into Keisha Hampton, a Philadelphia-raised star, at a Pro-Am game, both with injuries, they decided to start training together.

“Every morning, this parking garage at 30th and Market,” said Franklin. “We called it ‘the Dungeon.’”

Then after showing up at a camp co-organized by Kahleah Copper with drills ready, she ended up approaching him to train her.

“She’s one of the most skilled players in the WNBA,” said Franklin.

The joint training sessions led to a full-time position with the Sky this season for Franklin.

Read more about Chaz Franklin in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

_______