SUWANEE, GA – It took Brandone Francis one year to figure it out. A three-month window injured during the summer was the actual bright moment.

For a small window in the summer, Francis realized his dream of playing college basketball is within his sights. He just needed to put in some work and re-dedicate himself to the sport he loves.

“I pushed myself to the limit,” said Francis. “Last year, I started to understand what USA basketball was about. I wasn’t focused because I didn’t understand. Then I changed everything my game, as a person, a student and as a human being.”

This change has made a world of difference. College coaches Florida, Indiana, Kansas State, Illinois, Washington, Florida State, South Florida, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Mississippi, Miami, South Carolina and West Virginia have offered the Arlington Country Day product. The opportunity to rattle off the names of these programs humbles the 6-foot-5 guard.

Before leading the top-seeded Florida Elite into the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in April, Francis was the named the MVP of the Adidas Exclusive Run in Dallas. Getting to this point was not easy.

Last year, Francis came to the United States eager to play basketball here. This native of the Dominican Republic was good but was labeled lazy, out of shape and fat. He acknowledged his flaws but took them personal. The labels and the wrist injury that shelved him for three-months during the live period made him hungry.

“A lot of things went through my mind,” said Francis about the injury. “I said to myself, ‘I am really here and I have chance to play basketball. A lot of kids want to be here but I am really here. A lot of them want this chance that I have I can’t waste it. I have to give it 100%.”

Francis’ dream to play basketball in the States was something he wanted at an early age. While most young men from the Caribbean island dream of playing baseball, Francis realized he was not meant to play on the diamond at an early age. He then made the switch to the hardwood and quickly earned an MVP award after a tournament.

This fed into his desire to play basketball. However, the more he talked about playing hoops in the US, the more the detractors came. The naysayers told him he would never make it because the level of competition was too strong for a player like him, at the time. They doubted him.

Francis never doubted himself until he finally landed in Jacksonville, Florida to attend ACD. He picked up some interest but then the injury kept him from getting some exposure. Then it all clicked as he recovered from injury.

“He pushes you on and off the court,” Florida Elite and ACD teammate Dante Buford said. “He pushes himself so hard. Brandone needs to have everyone on the same page he is on. If everyone is on the same page he’s on we’re unstoppable.”

Francis wants to reach the pinnacle of basketball, which is earning a college scholarship with the dreams of playing professionally some day.

“I want to tell every kid out there to never fall asleep on your dreams,” he said. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t because a lot of people have told me this. All of what I have now and in the future comes with hard work, dedication and being focused.”