Bay Area DB commits to Warriors

Akil Francisco, who is entering his senior year at Encinal High in Alameda, Calif., has accepted a scholarship offer from the Warriors. Here’s the skinny:

> Francisco, who is tall (6 feet) and quick, is projected to compete at cornerback for the Warriors. Although he is 155 pounds, he expects to add to his frame when he joins the Warriors’ strength/conditioning program next year.

> Francisco has overcome a tragic childhood. His father — Mike “Dream” Francisco — was a highly respected Bay Area graffiti artist who was shot to death in 2000. His mother died of breast cancer in 2009.

> He credits his uncle, John Francisco, who raised him after his mother’s death. “He basically made a promise to my mom saying he would get me to go to college,” Akil Francisco said. “These past couple of years is what he’s been striving for — to get me to college. This commitment is a way of paying respect to him for all the hard work an sacrifice he’s made for me up to this point.”

> Francisco visited Hawaii twice the past year — for the Thanksgiving weekend and to attend his cousin’s UH graduation last month. From when his cousin first attended UH, he recalled, “I had a feeling about going there. … I thought Hawaii would be a good place for the next step in my football career, and for my academics, as well.”

> He bonded with the UH coaches during an unofficial visit last month. Last week, they attended an Oakland camp, where Francisco participated. “Coach Rolo is a good guy,” Francisco said.

> “I’m very grateful,” Francisco said of the UH offer. “This is for my parents, my uncle, teammates and my coaches. This is for everybody who ever believed in me, who were there through my ups and downs. This commitment is for all of them.”

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> Junior season
> Sophomore season

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