The South Dragons have added explosive two-guard Kavossy Franklin to their inaugural roster, the Houston-born 31-year-old set to arrive in Melbourne on Wednesday morning.

Franklin, touted as one half of the NBL’s best ever import duo by national coach Brian Goorjian in the 2002/03 Sydney Kings Championship team (the other league-MVP Chris Williams), most recently played in the NBL for the Hunter Pirates (2004/05) averaging 20 points and four assists.

He replaces departed trial import Christian Anderson, who began the clubs pre-season a few weeks ago but was released as the Dragons coaching staff declared they required a two-guard.

“We’re bringing together a championship winning backcourt in Kavossy and Heal,” said Dragons assistant Scott Ninnis today.

“He (Franklin) obviously knows how to win, and is a great defensive player.

“One of Kavossy’s biggest assets is his will to succeed, he gives the team a bit of fire and aggression.”

The Dragons first official pre-season game is this Wednesday the 23rd of August against the Cairns Taipans at Knox Basketball Stadium. Franklin is not expected to suit-up for the match, and is likely to make his Dragons debut in Hobart as the club takes on the 36ers in a pre-season road double.

Franklin’s first official NBL game with the Dragons will take place across the Tasman when the club takes on the New Zealand Breakers on the 26th of September. The Dragons first home game is on the 14th of October against the Wollongong Hawks at Vodafone Arena.

Kavossy Franklin Quick Facts

Born: July 15, 1975 in Houston, USA | Height: 189cm (6’3)

Career notes: 1998-1999: Augusta St. (NCAA2): 20ppg, 4.7rpg
1999 August: William Road Summer League in Augusta, Ga.
1999-2000: Black Hills Gold (IBA)
2000: in May signed by Washington Congressionals (USBL)
2000: ACMT Pro Camp in Columbus (Ohio)
2000-2001: Mulhouse (FRA-ProB): 23 games: 21ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.6apg
2002: Adirondack Wildcats (USBL,1T): 10 games: 10.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.4apg
2002-2003: Sydney Kings (AUS-NBL): 38gp: 17.5pts, 4.4rbs, 3.7ast, 45%FG
2004-2005: Hunter Valley Pirates (AUS-NBL): 32 games: 20.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, in Mar.'05 signed at Opel Skyliners Frankfurt (GER-1.Bundesliga), the same month got injured: 10 games: 11.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 2FGP: 60.5%, 3FGP: 38.5%
2005-2006: Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (GER-1.Bundesliga,1T): ULEB Cup: 9 games: 10.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.4apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 42.2%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 78.9%; German League: 30 games: 12.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 47.4%

South Dragons 2006/07: Shane Heal (Captain), Frank Drmic, Jacob Holmes, Matthew Burston, Matthew Shanahan, Adam Quick, Todd Fuller, Joe Ingles, Brent Hobba, Kavossy Franklin, Ash Cannan, Dean Brebner. Coaching staff: Mark Price, Scott Ninnis and Adrian Newall.