Rafael Franco

Last College: Harding, 2005 Position: Director of Video Operations/Camp Director

Rafael Franco is responsible for the daily video operations of the men's basketball program, including, but not limited to, film exchange and editing. Also responsible for the organization, promotion, and execution of the summer camps here and in Brazil.

Franco holds a Master's Degree from The University of Southern Mississippi in Sports Management, May 2007. He has served as a Graduate Assistant for Southern Miss for the past two years while working on his master's degree. Franco has helped coaches in the daily needs inside the court and at the office. His main responsibilities included, but are not limited to, film exchange, the Hardwood Club and camps, while also helping to monitor players in the classroom.

Franco graduated from Harding University in Searcy, AR in May 2005 with a Bachelors of Business Administration with Emphasis in International Business. As a player at Harding, he started 27 of 29 games, averaging 22.1 minutes per game. He shot 52.5 percent from the field and 43.5 percent on three pointers. During his senior season, Franco averaged 8.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

As a player in Brazil, the Sao Paulo native won three National Titles with the Sao Paulo State Select team and one National Title for Franca Basketball Clube. He achieved second-place in the South America Cup as well as in the America Cup Tournament playing for the Brazilian National Team. He also helped earn a second-place finish in the South America Cup and America Cup of Clubs for Franca Basketball Clube. In addition to that, Franco was selected as the best post player in the State of Sao Paulo in his junior and senior seasons.

Over the last six years in Brazil, Franco has helped organize 19 camps with participation of American Coaches, including the last three with Southern Miss Associate Head Coach Steve Barnes. The camps help the Basketball Youth Development Program in the State of Sao Paulo and other areas around the country.

Franco, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is married to the former Nissele Villas Boas, a native of Florianopolis, Brazil.