WNBA’s Napheesa Collier chats with Deaf fan Franklin Jones, Jr.

There is a viral video showing the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx star player Napheesa Collier signing in ASL with a Deaf fan before their playoff game against the Connecticut Sun.

[Video clip, Credit: Yahoo Sports] Video clip shows Napheesa talking with Franklin Jones, Jr. Franklin is encouraging Napheesa to play good and score 40 points. They also make some small talk.

This Deaf man is Franklin Jones, Jr. I reached out to him to explain how they knew each other and what’s the story behind Collier’s signing abilities.

[Begin interview]

Franklin Jones, Jr.: I’m Franklin Jones Jr. (Shows sign name). I live in Boston. I work at Boston University as an ASL instructor. I’m also a Ph.D. student and I have about one year left. I specialize in teaching ASL and I do some research on Black ASL as well.

Alex: Can you explain the story behind your relationship with Napheesa?

Franklin: We met through an internship at the University of Connecticut. At the time, I was a graduate student in MASLED, (Masters in American Sign Language Education.) We were required to have a practicum/internship for a year or two semesters. My friend recommended UConn.

I went into a classroom and I think it was an ASL 1 course. Did I know her? No. I was aware that UConn had a renowned basketball program, but I didn’t know that player at the time. My friend told me that (Napheesa) was a really good player. I approached her and talked about basketball. I challenged her to a one-on-one. She laughed and I was like, “Do you think I’m nothing.”

I wondered why she was learning ASL. Typically, famous people don’t learn ASL that often. Someone told me that her grandmother is deaf. But I never asked her about that. I thought to myself, “Maybe that’s why she wants to learn ASL.” Time went by and I attended games and watched her play. After one year, I was done (with UConn) and I graduated as well. I added her on social media and followed her. I sent her a message and she responded. I was surprised because famous people don’t typically respond. And we weren’t friends, I was just a fan. So I was surprised she responded. She is a nice woman. We kept in contact through brief messages, such as mentioning that I saw her almost getting into a fight and asking what happened. She would explain some things. I would congratulate her sometimes. It was just small things about basketball.

A few years ago, in Washington, D.C., I told her that I would be at a game. She told me to see her there. When I got there, I didn’t get her attention as I wanted to let her warm up. When I sat down, she recognized me and waved at me. It was over two or three years later. She asked me, “How are you?” I was surprised she remembered how to sign. I was not sure if she was skilled in ASL or okay at it. We kept in touch all this time.

When she got into the (WNBA) playoffs, I just had to attend. It was in Connecticut, which was only two hours away. It was not too far away for me. I told her that I would be there. When I got there, I saw her and waved at her. She came to me and said, “How are you?” You saw the video of our conversation. After our small talk, she left. I didn’t expect it to go viral! So what would you call our relationship? I don’t know. Friends? A fan? I’m just her big fan. Friends? Maybe. But we do talk. We still keep in touch.

Alex: Did you find out if her grandmother is deaf?

Franklin: So when that video of our chat went viral, I looked at the comments. Naturally I wanted to know what people said. Some people said ASL classes should be required for everyone. I liked that. I saw a comment that said her grandmother taught sign language. It seemed correct and I connected it with someone saying her grandmother is deaf.

On Sunday, I got tickets again. The game I went to was last Friday. I went again on Sunday. I had a wristband that allowed me to stay after the game and meet players. I met (Napheesa) and signed with her. She forgot some signs and we used some fingerspelling. I asked her if her grandmother is deaf. She said, “No.” She said her mother and grandmother are not deaf, but that her mother taught sign language. I was not sure if she was saying “mother” or “grandmother” because sometimes you can mix the signs up. But she was clear and said, “My mother.” So it seems like her mother taught sign language. She is hearing, not deaf. So I’m seeing “she is deaf” and “grandmother.” It’s not clear and I plan to ask her again to clarify, but through English! I would rather that as it’ll be more clear. I plan to ask about her mother and if it was her, then it would clear up that others’ talk was a misunderstanding. What’s for sure is that she doesn’t have a deaf family. Someone signed, yes, but it could be her mother or grandmother. More likely the mother.

Alex: Interesting!

[End interview]

Franklin said he gave Napheesa a sign name but it’s unofficial.

[Resume interview]

Franklin: That time, during the ASL class, I thought of giving her this sign name. (Shows sign). I was just joking. It was based on basketball. She accepted that sign. I said, “No!” But continued to use that sign. So I called her that.

Alex: Is that the sign name for Napheesa?

Franklin: Not officially. I was just joking.

Alex: But I like that sign name. It’s cool. It’s unique.

Franklin: My friends from UConn know who I’m talking about. But others don’t.

[End interview]

Very cool. Thank you, Franklin Jones, Jr, for explaining!

He said he’s been a fan of the WNBA for a long time and is very excited to watch Napheesa and the Lynx as they play in the WNBA finals against the New York Liberty.

Napheesa is one of the Lynx’s key players and scored 21 points and had 8 rebounds in yesterday’s Game 1 victory.

Game 2 is on Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 pm.

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