SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA men’s basketball program welcomed three new student-athletes to campus on Wednesday for the first day of fall semester classes. Joining the Roadrunners roster for the 2009-10 season are junior forward Stephen Franklin (Aurora, Colo./Central HS/College of Eastern Utah), freshman guard Melvin Johnson III (Red Oak, Texas/Humble Christian Life Center Academy) and junior forward Larry Wilkins (San Antonio, Texas/Madison HS/Midland College).
“Our coaching staff is extremely excited about welcoming Stephen Franklin, Larry Wilkins and Melvin Johnson to our team,” head coach Brooks Thompson said. “We have a veteran ballclub coming back and these three young men will all have the opportunity to contribute immediately. They are all very good players, but more importantly, they are good students who will be great ambassadors for our program. We think they’ll have an immediate impact this season and help us make a run at a conference championship.”
Stephen Franklin (F, 6-6, Jr.-TR, Aurora, Colo.) — averaged 13.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game to help lead College of Eastern Utah to a 25-7 record in 2008-09 … earned second-team All-Region 18 honors … posted 14.7 points and 6.7 boards per contest in league play … registered 59 assists, 30 steals and 21 blocks … shot 52.4 percent (153-292) from the floor and 72.3 percent (112-155) from the free throw line … posted a season-high 24 points and 16 rebounds against Colorado Northwestern … averaged 19.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and led the state with 4.25 steals per game to help Aurora Central High School to a 27-1 overall record and a Colorado Class 5A state runner-up finish in 2006-07 … an all-state selection by both the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News.
Melvin Johnson III (G, 6-5, Fr.-HS, Red Oak, Texas) — averaged 23.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game … garnered all-tournament honors to help lead Humble Christian Life Center Academy (prep school) to the 2009 National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Boys Elite Division I National Basketball Championship … two-time, first-team All-District 15-4A selection at Red Oak High School near Dallas … McDonald’s All-America nominee.
Larry Wilkins (F, 6-4, Jr.-TR, San Antonio, Texas) — averaged 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 36 games played for Midland College in 2008-09 … helped the Chaparrals to a 33-4 record and appearance in the NJCAA National Championship Game … all-district and two-time San Antonio Express-News Super Team selection at Madison High School.