Franks Hails NBL Quality: "It's the Toughest Position in the League"

Robert Franks. Mitch Creek. Keanu Pinder. Jarrell Brantley. Xavier Cooks. Now that’s a who’s who list of names who’ve been rocking out in NBL23. Apart from all being genuine MVP candidates at this stage of the season, what’s something else they have in common?

They all play the same roles within their side.

As Adelaide prepare to go head-to-head with the Taipans and Kings this weekend Franks will have his work cut out for him. Pinder will enter Friday’s clash fresh off of an immense performance in Cairns’ overtime win over Sydney, while Cooks will be looking to rectify fouling out in the same game.

There were whispers that the quality of the post players in the NBL could diminish due to the likes of Jo Lual-Acuil leaving the competition to ply his trade overseas, but the surging form of the likes of Pinder and Franks, the addition of guys like Brantley, and even the quality of up and comers like Sam Waardenburg, DJ Mitchell and David Okwera have seen it hit levels never seen before.

“I think, in my opinion, that versatile big is the toughest position in this league,” Franks told The Huddle. “It just shows you how good this league is.

“Night in, night out you’re going to face a talented guy on every team that can play inside and out, is versatile with the ball and isn’t one dimensional.

“I love it as a competitor.

“Every night I’m trying to compete regardless of who’s on the other side. I just enjoy going out there and competing.”

Ever since Craig Randall II left the 36ers Franks has been playing like a man possessed.

Now the number on scoring option in Adelaide, Franks has once again reached, and likely surpassed, the levels of play that saw him competing for a place in the All-NBL First Team last season.

It would be remiss to expect the 36ers weren’t looking for someone to fill the boots of the departed Randall – much like Ian Clark did for Sydney last season after arriving at the Kings as a mid-season pickup.

In fact, Franks believes Clark himself could be a perfect fit for the side.

Former King Ian Clark played a key role in Sydney's NBL22 championship after arriving mid-season.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “’’AC’ (Antonius Cleveland) and I had a chat about that earlier. We were like ‘where’s [Clark] at, why didn’t he go back to Sydney or stay in the NBL?’

“What he did last year to help Sydney was very remarkable for them and he showed he’s a winner. He’s shown he can win at the highest level.

“You want a guy that’s obviously a good, high character that can come in and gel with the team and not have a downfall with the chemistry with how things are flowing.

“It’s not a secret of what we need, it’s just about getting that perfect fit for us.”