Aqua Franklin - Lamar Univ. - Lamar WBB Defense

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Aqua Franklin was named the 14th women’s basketball head coach at Lamar University on May 1, 2019. Returning back to the Southland Conference for the 2022-23 season, Lamar put together their best season to date under Coach Franklin's realm. With a 20-12 record overall, it marked the most wins since the 2018-19 season and the first 20-win season for Coach Franklin in her coaching career. 

Franklin’s coaching career got started at her alma mater serving as a graduate assistant for Texas A&M during the 2009-10 season. Her collegiate and professional experiences were a valuable asset to the Aggies as she helped guide the team to the Big 12 Championship and the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Franklin was selected with the 38th pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. As a rookie, Franklin helped lead the Monarchs to the opening round of the 2008 WNBA playoffs. The following season she signed with the Seattle Storm before going on to begin her coaching career at her alma mater.
She concluded her four-year playing career at Texas A&M as one of the most-decorated guards in program history, ranking in the top three in assists with 627. Her final season with the Aggies was a memorable one for the program, as the team made its first run to the NCAA’s Elite Eight. Franklin capped her career by claiming honorable mention All-America accolades from the Associated Press to go along with second-team All-Big 12 honors. During her collegiate career, Franklin led the Aggies to three NCAA appearances and was twice named Honorable Mention All-America.
 
A 2018 Texas A&M Hall of Fame inductee, Franklin graduated from A&M with a degree in recreation park and tourism science in 2009. She was also a member of the second Tyler ISD Hall of Fame class – one that also included NFL legend Earl Campbell.