Robert Franks is a senior from Washington State that averaged 21.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 3.2 TOPG on shooting splits of 49/40/85. Here’s the full scouting report on the long shooter:
Name: Robert Franks
Height/Weight: 6’9/ 225
Wingspan/ standing reach: 7’3/ N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: SF
College: Washington State
Tools: Length, shooting
Pros:
- Excellent length and size
- Solid rebounder
- Decent vision
- Great in catch & shoot
Cons:
- Inconsistent shooter when not at a standstill
- Not explosive and lacks a burst of speed
- Averaged more turnovers than assists
Overall: Robert Franks, the winner of the 2017-18 Most improved Player award in the PAC-12, and a first team All PAC-12 member, had an impressive collegiate career at Washington State. Franks’ rare size & shooting combination make him one of the most unique prospects in the draft. Standing at 6’9 with a 7’3 wingspan, Franks has the ideal frame to play small forward. His best skill is his elite catch & shoot ability. With excellent form, a quick release, and high success rate with elite company, Franks could immediately find minutes in a rotation due to his shooting ability.
However, an area Franks needs to become more consistent in is shooting off the dribble. Franks already is at a disadvantage as a slasher due to his lack of top-end athleticism, meaning a threatening pull-up jumper would be necessary to hit his potential.
NBA Comparison: Floor: Alex Abrines; Ceiling: Tracy Murray
Projected draft range: 45-undrafted
Fit with Mavericks/best fit:
If Franks goes undrafted, he should be one of the top targets for Dallas in undrafted free agency. The Mavs needs long shooters with potential defensive upside. Franks fits virtually on any team due to his elite length with a high chance of his shooting translating to the NBA. The earliest I can see Franks going is at 45 to Detroit. The Pistons have a high need for wings, particularly wing shooters. Franks and Bruce Brown could man the bench wings unit immediately, which could help compliment each other’s skillset, as Brown is an energy wing with good defense, and Franks specializes in shooting.
As for Dallas, look for Franks to take on a similar role to Justin Jackson, where almost half of his shots or more are 3 pointers. If the Mavs add another high level ball handler, such as Kemba Walker, Franks would be an excellent complimentary piece off the bench to both Luka Doncic and, hypothetically, Kemba Walker.
You can also ready my breakdown of Franks vs Oregon from January here.
