Former Kansas basketball player Ron Frantz has died at the age of 76.
Former University of Kansas men’s basketball player and team captain Ron Frantz died Monday at the age of 76 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. KU’s physical education department confirmed.
A graduate of Kansas City’s Bishop Ward High School, Franz was a three-year starter for KU in the 1964-65, 65-66 and 66-67 seasons.
The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds as a junior and 5.7 points and 4.5 boards as a sophomore before averaging 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in his senior season. The freshman was ineligible during his time playing.
During Franz’s junior and senior years, KU won the Big Eight Conference regular season title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament both years. KU won three Big Eight Holiday tournaments with Franz on the team.
In 1965-66, KU won the Big Eight regular season title with a 13-1 record. The Jayhawks finished the season with a 23-4 record in the NCAA Regional Finals to the Texas Western where he lost 81-80 in double overtime. Other members of that team include Jo Jo White, Walt Wesley, Al Lopes, Delvy Lewis, Riney Lochmann, Rodger Bohnenstiehl, Bob Wilson, Pat Davis and Fred Chana.
The Jayhawks were 13-1 in the Big Eight, again 23-4 during their senior season when Franz was team captain. KU lost to Houston 66-53 in the NCAA semifinals at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence. The Jayhawks finished that season by defeating Louisville, 70-68, at Allen and winning the regional third-place play-off.
KU went 17-8 and 9-5 overall, finishing second in the league in Franz’s sophomore campaign.
“Ron was not only an outstanding player, but an incredible person,” former KU coach Ted Owens told The Star on Monday. A big contribution to the championship team.I remember the game in West Texas (Joe Jo White was asked to go out of bounds at a key moment. KU to the eventual national champion in the regional finals. (Many disputed the call-up, which proved pivotal in the Los Angeles Lakers loss.) Ron was the team’s first power forward, and he was to play in the American Basketball Association. He was a really outstanding player.”
Franz was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the fourth round of the 1967 NBA Draft. Franz has his ABA for the Oakland Oaks (1967-68), New Orleans he has the Buccaneers (1968-70), the Floridians (1970-72), Memphis he has the Tams (1972) and Dallas he has the Chaparrals (1973). chose to play at He finished his basketball career with the Swiss Alpines in 1975.
Owens recalled that Franz was a successful business contractor in Memphis after his playing days were over. In fact, he started a company called RS Franz Construction that builds homes in Tennessee, Florida and Arkansas. He and his wife Georgia later retired to Fort He Walton Beach, Florida.
“At the time, we had an award called Dr. Forrest C. We give our most valuable player the Allen Award,” said former KU coach Owens. “He and Joe Jo were his MVP in 1967. He had a great career and was a great person. He was really looking forward to returning to campus this year (his for the 125th year basketball reunion).”
Franz spoke to a reporter for Jayhawk Insider in 2001 About David Garfield’s Career at KU.
“We put KU back in place,” says Franz. “I remember coming back from when KU was down and knowing that playing with really good quality players helped KU rebuild. He came around when basketball was down and got him back on track.He got his enthusiasm back.”
Franz describes his playing style as follows: If I could push you out of bounds so you wouldn’t get caught, I would have liked it.
Franz said one of his most satisfying moments as Jayhawk during a time-honored game played in conjunction with KU’s 100th anniversary reunion of Kansas Basketball on February 7, 1998. .
“You stepped out on the court and it was like time stopped,” Franz told Garfield. “The place[Allen Fieldhouse]was sold out. It was 30 years old when we started warming up and it didn’t seem like it. The band was playing. People were cheering.” I saw some old people not only on the floor but also in the stands.It was probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” added Franz.
Franz recalled that the two players were fielding Hall of Famer Julius (Dr. J.) Irving during his ABA days.
“He was phenomenal,” Franz told Garfield. “I know he gave me a lot of points, but I think I gave him some too. If it had, it would have pushed the NBA off the map.That was the game they were playing now.The speed of the game was ABA.It was an interesting league.You really don’t know if the daily checks are good. You received the check and immediately ran to the bank to make sure it was correct.”
Gary Bedore covers all aspects of Kansas basketball in The Star. He attended his KU and was born and raised in Chicago and Lyle, Illinois.
