Lamont Franklin just completed his 3rd season as Head Coach at Cedar Park Christian School. In three seasons, the personable young mentor has left his mark on the small school located in Bothell, WA. In his 3rd season at the helm, Franklin guided the Eagles to their second State Tournament appearance in three years. Culminating with a final record of 16-10, Franklin’s squad came home with the schools first ever State Tournament trophy by finishing in 8th place at the 2008 WIAA 1A State Tournament, the highest finish in school history.

As a 2nd year Head Coach, Franklin was named the Emerald City League “Coach of the Year” for his efforts in leading his team to a 13-7 record. The eagles finished 9-3 in league play second only to the two-time defending state champion.

In his inaugural campaign Franklin led the Eagles to the WIAA 1A State Tournament for only the second time in school history finishing with a 14-9 record. Over the course of the season the 2005-2006 squad was recognized as one of the top ten teams in the state of Washington.

Franklin brings a wide range of division I coaching experience to his current post along with a pedigree passionate about teaching the game of life through basketball. The youngest of three, Lamont’s older brothers are coaches and former Division I players as well. The eldest Levi is now an assistant coach at Robert Morris College, in Pittsburgh, PA., while Larry is currently coaching youth basketball in Bowie, MD.

A Maryland native, Lamont was a two-time All-PG County selection and All-Met choice during his prep career. At UNC Wilmington, Franklin was a three-year starter at guard and co-captain as a junior and senior. His defensive prowess earned him a spot on the Colonial Athletic Association’s All-Defensive Team as well as UNCW’s “Defensive Player of the Year” award in his junior and senior seasons. As a senior Franklin was instrumental in leading the Seahawks to their first ever regular season CAA championship. That season marked the start of unprecedented success for the Seahawks basketball program which went on to win four CAA championships, while appearing in six post-season tournaments (4 NCAA and 2 NIT) over the course of the next nine seasons.

The personable young mentor got a quick start to his coaching career when he joined the staff of his alma mater in 1997 two month’s after graduating. As the third assistant under the tutelage of Coach Jerry Wainwright, Franklin helped lead the Seahawks to the school’s first ever post-season berth (NIT).

In 1998 Lamont moved on to Howard University as the second assistant. In his two years at Howard, the Bison's’ recruiting classes included recruits who were recognized by the MEAC; one a member of the All-Rookie team, another the eventual 2002-03 Conference Player of the Year. The spring of 2000 found Lamont back at UNC Wilmington as the interim Alumni Programs Coordinator until September when he joined the legendary Jim “Bow Tie” Phelan’s staff at Mount Saint Mary’s College as the second assistant for one season.

In June of 2001 Lamont was named the top assistant at Florida A&M University. After one season Head Coach Mike Gillespie elevated Franklin to Associate Head Coach. While at FAMU his recruiting classes produced three First Team All-MEAC performers, two runner ups for conference Player of the Year honors, and the NCAA’s #1 three point shooter for two consecutive seasons.

In ‘03-’04, Lamont was welcomed back to the CAA, and the Washington Metropolitan area as the top assistant to Coach Michael Hunt at Towson University before joining Coach Tom Herrion at the College of Charleston during the ‘04-’05 season. Lamont and his wife Lisa have one son Cameron, born on June 28, 2004 and are expecting their 2nd child in April 2008.

Hometown: Seat Pleasant, MD

Education: University of North Carolina at Wilmington
                     B.S. in Business Systems, May 1997

Playing Experience: 1993-1997 UNC Wilmington
                                     1989-1993 Crossland Senior High School

Coaching Experience: 2005- Present Head Coach, Cedar Park Christian School
                                         2004-2005 Assistant Coach, College of Charleston
                                         2003-2004 Assistant Coach, Towson University
                                         2002-2003 Associate Head Coach, Florida A&M University
                                         2001-2002 Assistant Coach, Florida A&M University
                                         2000-2001 Assistant Coach, Mount St. Mary’s College
                                         1998-2000 Assistant Coach, Howard University
                                         1997-1998 Assistant Coach, UNCW
                                         1993-1996 Assistant Coach, Metro Players Youth Org