Former Knicks Gaming Coach Signs as NBL Oz Gaming Head Coach

“We are not here to make up the numbers. We are here to win.”

That’s the message from Mitchell ‘Mootyy’ Franklin, who has been named the inaugural head coach of NBL Oz Gaming ahead of the 2023 NBA 2K League season.

Mootyy joins NBL Oz Gaming with a wealth of experience. He started his 2K League journey as a player with Kings Guard Gaming, the Sacramento Kings’ affiliate team, in 2018 after being selected with the fourth overall pick.

He then spent two seasons with Lakers Gaming, the Los Angeles Lakers’ affiliate team, from 2018-2020.

Mootyy moved to the sidelines last season, becoming an assistant coach with Knicks Gaming, the New York Knicks’ affiliate team.

Mootyy’s leadership played a major role in the Knicks qualifying for the playoffs in 3v3 and 5v5 modes last season, including an Eastern Conference Finals run in 5v5, where they fell short of advancing by one game.

Known for his charismatic personality and his trademark sunglasses, Mootyy is looking forward to building NBL Oz Gaming into a competitive outfit from day one.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be named the first head coach of NBL Oz Gaming,” Mootyy said.

“To have the opportunity to build a team from scratch is such a rare and special moment. NBL Oz Gaming has already laid an impressive and strong foundation and I look forward to adding to that.

“My experience playing and coaching in the 2K League is invaluable and I want to implant that knowledge across the entire NBL Oz Gaming organisation from players to assistant coaches to the front office.

“While some may overlook us as an expansion team, I want to make it clear we are not here to make up the numbers. We are here to win.

“We understand there will be a process and growing pains to reach our ultimate goal of winning a championship, but we want to give NBL Oz Gaming fans a winning team to be proud of from day one.

“The work is only just getting started as we now need to build a roster and find the best mixture of players to represent NBL Oz Gaming.”

As an assistant coach with the Knicks, Mootyy oversaw the team’s daily operations including running practices, analysing and breaking down film, and implementing internal changes in order to showcase players skills and optimise team performance.

The first NBL Oz Gaming player will be found this weekend at the NBA 2K League Australia Invitational in Melbourne.

“This region is filled with incredibly talented players, and I can’t wait to see who earns the historic first playing NBL Oz Gaming contract,” Mootyy said.

The NBL Oz Gaming roster will grow at the upcoming Expansion Draft. The expansion draft will consist of one round with NBL Oz Gaming selecting one player from the eligible player pool. NBL Oz Gaming will have the option to select a second player by forfeiting their third-round draft pick in the 2023 NBA 2K League Draft.