Franks Assessment: 'We Want Championship'

By Dan Woods - NBL Media

The lack of clarity around the immediate future of Robert Franks has been one of the key storylines of this NBL off-season, but with the star import now on the ground in Adelaide, his future is set. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Robert Franks (<a href="https://twitter.com/RoBo_22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoBo_22</a>) has arrived in Adelaide and is ready to build something special with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adelaide36ers</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <a href="https://t.co/P6uCRoBjiV">pic.twitter.com/P6uCRoBjiV</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1561624055295639553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After being announced as one of Adelaide's new import signings, information regarding Franks’ intentions of actually suiting up for his new side remained unclear, after strong performances in the Summer League. Newscorp’s Matt Logue reported Franks had agreed to a deal with Euroleague side Lokomotiv, before an ankle injury saw him return to the NBL.

“An opportunity in Europe came up and it was close to happening,” Franks told the Adelaide 36ers website.

“It was more so on the business side of things.

“For all good reasons I’m here, so that’s in the rear-view and I’m excited for this upcoming season with Adelaide.”

The 36ers have conducted something of a raid on the rest of the NBL this off-season, acquiring Franks from the Bullets, alongside former Illawarra forward Antonius Cleveland.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cleveland ?? Adelaide<br>Follow Antonius Cleveland around during his first day at the Club this week<br><br>Watch the full clip here: <a href="https://t.co/fMMBIUuQ55">https://t.co/fMMBIUuQ55</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSixers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSixers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SwoopTheHoop?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SwoopTheHoop</a> <a href="https://t.co/aSGHNjTuM6">pic.twitter.com/aSGHNjTuM6</a></p>&mdash; Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1558022982915592192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Due to the pair sharing an agency and having a long-term friendship. Franks says they’re relishing the opportunity to play with each other.

“We just complement each other,” Franks said of Cleveland.

“Obviously he’s a great player and he won Defensive Player of the Year last year, so I feel like me and him on both sides of the ball can complement each other all year long.

“We’ve worked out a couple of times but we haven’t played together, so it’s definitely exciting … [it’s] definitely [the] cherry on top.”

Franks and Cleveland aren't the only additions to Adelaide's roster. After last season's disappointing seventh-placed finish, they've been active in their player acquisitions.

Robert Franks in action for the Brisbane Bullets last season.

They've retooled by bringing in the likes of Craig Randall II, Anthony Drmic, Deng Acuoth and Kyrin Galloway, alongside the import pair.

With the club pulling together such a talented roster, Franks says there’s only one goal in mind.

“A championship. I think we have the right group and the right core to do so,” he said. 

“I think it’s a well balanced roster as well. I think everybody is going to fit perfectly. We have the shooting, we have the rim protection, we have the wing defenders.

“Obviously it’s going to take more than just talk, we have to do it. It’s going to be a day to day basis but I think we’re moving in the right direction … it’s definitely exciting times in Adelaide.”