Ron Franz
Personal information
Born(1945-10-20)October 20, 1945
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
DiedOctober 3, 2022(2022-10-03) (aged 76)
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolBishop Ward (Kansas City, Kansas)
CollegeKansas (1964–1967)
NBA draft1967: 4th round, 33rd overall pick
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career1967–1975
PositionSmall forward
Number11, 15
Career history
1967–1968Oakland Oaks
1968–1970New Orleans Buccaneers
1970–1972Floridians
1972Memphis Tams
1973Dallas Chaparrals
1975Swiss Alpines
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Ronald Stephen Franz (October 20, 1945 – October 3, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who was a small forward in the American Basketball Association (ABA). After playing college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks, Franz played in the ABA for the Oakland Oaks, New Orleans Buccaneers, Floridians, Memphis Tams, and Dallas Chaparrals from 1968 to 1973. He also played in Switzerland.

Career

Franz attended Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He enrolled at the University of Kansas and played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1963 to 1967. He was a three-year starting small forward for the Jayhawks.[1] During the 1966–67 season, he served as team captain under coach Ted Owens.[2]

The Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA) selected Franz in the fourth round of the 1967 NBA draft. The Oakland Oaks of the rival upstart American Basketball Association (ABA) selected Franz in the 10th round of the ABA Draft. Franz chose to sign with Oakland.[3] He played for the Oaks in the 1967–68 season.[4] On June 18, 1968, the Oaks traded Franz, Steve Jones, and Barry Leibowitz to the New Orleans Buccaneers for Larry Brown and Doug Moe.[5]

The Buccaneers traded Franz and Dave Nash to the Miami Floridians for Al Cueto, Wil Jones, and Erv Staggs on June 9, 1970.[6] The Floridians folded in 1972, and the Memphis Tams selected Franz in a dispersal draft.[7] Franz announced his retirement from basketball in December 1972.[8][9] However, he signed with the Dallas Chaparrals in January 1973.[10] Franz signed with Memphis for the 1974-75 ABA season, but he was cut.[11]

Franz played for the Swiss Alpines of the European Professional Basketball League during its only season in 1975.[12]

Personal life and death

After his playing career, Franz owned a construction company based in Memphis that built houses in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Florida. He and his wife, Georgia, retired to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.[1]

Franz died in Fort Walton Beach on October 3, 2022, at the age of 76.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bedore, Gary (October 3, 2022). "Former Kansas Jayhawks basketball player Ron Franz dies Monday at age of 76". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Kansas Men's Basketball Media Guide". KUathletics.com. 2008. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
  3. ↑ "26 Jul 1967, 42 - Oakland Tribune at". Newspapers.com. July 26, 1967. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Muskies gain tie for lead". The Free Lance–Star. (AP). November 24, 1967 – via news.Google.com.
  5. ↑ "19 Jun 1968, Page 26 - The Times at". Newspapers.com. June 19, 1968. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  6. ↑ "9 Jun 1970, 44 - The Buffalo News at". Newspapers.com. June 9, 1970. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  7. ↑ "14 Jun 1972, 44 - Lincoln Journal Star at". Newspapers.com. June 14, 1972. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  8. ↑ "24 Dec 1972, 16 - The Commercial Appeal at". Newspapers.com. December 24, 1972. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  9. ↑ "28 Dec 1972, Page 17 - Clarion-Ledger at". Newspapers.com. December 28, 1972. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  10. ↑ "6 Jan 1973, 15 - The Morning Call at". Newspapers.com. January 6, 1973. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ "5 Oct 1974, 10 - The Charlotte News at". Newspapers.com. October 5, 1974. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Swiss Alpines contre Iberia Superstars" [Swiss Alpines against Iberia Superstars] (PDF). Le Confédéré (in French). March 21, 1975. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017 – via RERO.ch.
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