Franklin High's Two-Sport Titan

Old school.

Those were two words Franklin High School Assistant Basketball Coach Martin Mannie used to describe the school’s football and basketball star Anthony King, this week’s Elk Grove Patch Athlete of the Week.

King, a wide receiver/free safety for the Wildcats, joined five other Elk Grove high school seniors Wednesday for the annual football Letter of Intent Signing Ceremony. The two-sport standout is headed for defending FCS NCAA champion Eastern Washington of the Big Sky Conference.

In this era of sports specialization, King is unusual. As a basketball guard, he averages 8.9 points per game, 2.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds for the 18-5 Wildcats, who lead the Delta Valley with a 6-0 record.

“He’s a really hard worker,” Mannie, who attended Wednesday’s signing session, said. “Anthony King puts his mind to something, he gets it done. I was talking with my coach [Head Basketball Coach Jesse] Formaker and saying ‘He’s a throwback. He don’t want to lose, he won’t lose. He’s that old school '80s [type].’ ”

King was one of 20 student athletes signing Wednesday to play at EWU. In a statement posted on the Eastern Washington University athletics website, Eagles Head Football Coach Beau Baldwin sounded a similar note when discussing this year’s recruiting class.

“We wanted to make sure we signed players who were tough and guys who compete,” Baldwin said.

King’s mother, Yvonne Reed, said before the signing ceremony, “It’s been pretty intense. He’s worked pretty hard.”

Reed said they are an athletic family. Anthony’s father, Richard Reed, played college basketball at Idaho State.

The young athlete enjoyed the recruiting process.

“It’s been fun and exciting,” King said. “Visiting trips are fun, but it’s serious at the same time.”

As to why he chose the Cheney, Wash. school, King listed a number of reasons.

“I got along with the coaches," he said. "The campus is pretty."

King, who will major in physical education, health and recreation, also had the opportunity to meet some of his future teammates.

There were other football powerhouses taking a look at King, including Miami and Montana. He said nationally-ranked Nevada was one of the first schools to make contact.

How does King keep up with his academics with all of the time taken up by two sports and recruiting trips?

“You’ve got to do homework between classes,” he said. “Sometimes I go in for extra help, if I need it.”

“Then he has Mom at home making sure everything is up to par," Reed said, laughing.

EWU opens this season with a game at Pac-12 opponent Washington, then travels to Sacramento for an Oct. 22 Big Sky game at Sac State.

Five questions for the Athlete of the Week:

Who is your role model?

My dad. He was always pushing me forward.

What is your favorite food?

Pepperoni pizza.

Steelers or Packers?

Don’t like the Steelers, they beat [his favorite team] the Jets. So, I’m going with the Packers.

Favorite class?

Economics.

Favorite type of music?

R&B and hip hop.