South Plantation boys’ basketball starter represented Argentina in Deaflympics

Franco Domine, a 6-foot-3 senior wing, isn’t a high school basketball star – he averages just 1.8 points on a 1-6 South Plantation team.

But away from the prep ranks, Domine – who was born with about 60 percent hearing loss – recently represented Argentina in the 2025 Deaflympics Nov. 15-26 in Tokyo.

“Franco is not a big scorer,” South Plantation coach Derek Felder said of Domine, a Miami native whose parents are from Argentina. “But he’s a returning starter for us, a glue guy who guards bigger players. He effects winning because he’s tough and versatile.”

Felder compares Domine to NBA standout Draymond Green for his ability to impact the game without scoring in bunches.

Domine, who wants to play college basketball, has drawn interest from Gallaudet, billed as the world’s only bilingual university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

In the meantime, Domine will play out his senior season for South Plantation, doing all the dirty work on defense.

“He takes on that challenge every game,” Felder said. “We play a college style, and he picks things up quickly. He’s a really good passer, and he can grab a rebound and initiate a fast break.”

Domine comes from a big-time sports family. His sister, Camila, is a soccer player -- a freshman midfielder at Barry University.

In addition, Franco’s father and uncle played pro basketball in Argentina. His father, Hugo, was a 6-3 shooting guard, and Franco’s uncle, Eduardo, was a 6-2 shooting guard.

“My brother was one of the best shooters in Argentina,” Hugo said. “And Franco has been playing basketball since he could walk.”

Being hard of hearing hasn’t been much of an issue for Domine. For starters, he wears a hearing aid, which is helpful. In addition, Felder does a good job of making sure Domine knows what’s required of him on the court.

“When we call plays, we echo it and repeat it,” Felder said. “It helps that Franco understands coverages and concepts.”

Domine got on Argentina’s radar when the national team took to social media a couple of years ago to let it be known they were looking for new talent.

His father sent video of Domine, and he eventually made the squad.

Argentina went 0-3 in the 2025 Deaflympics, but Domine said it was a great experience.

“I was playing against adults,” he said in a phone interview with the Miami Herald. “These guys were big, tough and physical. I learned a lot.”

The Deaflympics, which are held every four years, go all the way back to the first Games, held in 1924 Paris.

To be eligible, athletes must have a minimum hearing loss of 55 decibels in their better ear without hearing aids. With that kind of hearing loss, a person cannot hear a conversation at a normal level.

Athletes also must be registered with each country’s National Deaf Sports Federation.

Meanwhile, Hugo Domine said he knew his son had hearing loss on the day he was born, even though there was no family history of that type of issue.

“It was bad news, but he was healthy beyond that,” Hugo said. “He was so beautiful that we were happy.”

Franco has represented Argentina in other national-team events in Buenos Aires and in Washington D.C.

“Everyone on the team,” Hugo said, “from the coaches to the players, they are all beautiful people.

“We’re just so proud of Franco. Being able to represent Argentina is a dream for him and for everyone in our family.”