March 4, 2010

ALBANY, N.Y. - Senior forward Alex Franklin has been named the MAAC Player of the Year as announced at the conference's awards banquet Thursday night here at Times Union Center. It marks the second straight season that a Siena player has been honored by the conference's highest honor, following Kenny Hasbrouck's recognition last season.

A Preseason All-MAAC Second Team selection, Franklin was a three-time MAAC Player of the Week this season, while also being named the ECAC Player of the Week on Jan. 26. He leads the Saints and ranks sixth in the MAAC averaging 15.8 points per game, while also ranking in the top-five in the league in field goal percentage (second) and rebounding (fifth).

Franklin enters the MAAC Championships in the top-10 in program history in scoring (6th-1,657), rebounding (3rd-880), steals (7th-158) and blocked shots (7th-96). He joins Hasbrouck (2009), Doremus Bennerman (1994) and Mark Brown (1991) as the only Saints ever named MAAC Player of the Year.

Franklin and the Saints begin their drive for a third consecutive MAAC title Saturday at 4:30 p.m. here at Times Union Center against the winner and of the #8 Loyola vs. #9 Manhattan game.