Seven21 Productions

Growing up Steve played ball in the D.C. area at Tacoma Park. His coach at the Trenton Park Boys and Girls Club said his competitive nature was a life long trait, he wanted to win at everything. Tacoma Park is a big part of what makes Steve Francis "Stevie Franchise". Tacoma Park is a place where kids can get off the streets and start to realize their dreams. Steve's involvement keeps a lot of them motivated. The coaches use him as a role model. When things get tough and the kids stop working, coaches tell the kids that Stevie had to endure the same things. They go to 6 tournaments a year with Steve picking up the full tab for entry fees, travel, and room and board expenses. When Steve played at Tacoma, he wasn't much of a shooter or

jumper. Teammates would laugh and joke about his stature and lack of leaping ability. He couldn't dunk until he was in 12th grade. His coach always said that "Wink's" head was quick as his feet. In one game he used playground etiquette and told the opposing player who was taking out of bounds to "check the ball". The kid did and Francis laid it in for two. "Franchise's" team would go on to win by two.

Francis was named Second Team All-America by AP and first team All-ACC after his junior year at Maryland, where he averaged 17 points and 2.8 steals per game in his only season of Division I basketball. His ACC-leading 95 steals were the second highest total in Terrapin history and he also led Maryland with 45 three-pointers. As a sophomore at Allegany Community College in Maryland, Francis averaged 25.3 PPG, 8.7 apg, 7.1 rpg and 5.3 spg, setting school records for points (885), steals (187) and free throws (204). At San Jacinto State in Texas as a freshman, Francis led the team to a record of 36-1, averaging 12.5 ppg, 7.5 apg and 7.5 rpg.

He was now ready for the NBA. Before his rookie season he was traded from Vancouver to the Rockets in a three team trade. While with the Rockets, the "Franchise" averaged 18pys., 6.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game. He shared Rookie of the Year honors with Elton Brand of the Chicago bulls (now with the Los Angeles Clippers). He became the seventh rookie in NBA history to average 15pts., 5 assists, and 5 rebounds. He was named Rookie of the Month in December, March and April. "Wink" participated in the

Slam Dunk Contest, finishing second to Vince Carter.

On the personal side, Steve has 3 siblings, 2 older brothers, Jeff Jr., and Terry, and a younger sister named Tiffany who he visited during the All-Star break this season. He idolized Randall Cunningham as a kid. Francis has 2 dogs: Rico, a rottweiler, and Alexis, a pit bull.