Feb. 23, 2007
Franthea Price was an integral part of the Iowa’s women’s basketball dynasty of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. So much so, she was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, becoming Iowa’s second player to win this coveted award and ending her career as the Big Ten Player of the Year in 1990. Earning All-Big Ten selections three times during her college career as well as several All-American honors, Price helped Iowa to four consecutive conference titles. Fueled by being part of a winning program, Price drove hard each year and earned many honors.
As a young girl, Price looked up to her father, James, a River Rouge High School basketball player in the 1960’s, who was a part of two state championships. His daughter followed close behind, making a name for herself at the same school, winning the first women’s state championship for the Panthers in 1984 after hitting a 13-foot jump shot from the baseline in the final seconds. A year later, Price was honored with the Miss Basketball Award, the top individual award a high school basketball player can receive in the state of Michigan.
After growing up in River Rouge, a small community just 10 miles south of Detroit, Price decided on the University of Iowa to stage her collegiate career. Perhaps the reason why Price looked past her native state to Iowa was because of legendary head coach C. Vivian Stringer.
To continue reading the article written by the Big Ten Conference, click HERE.