NBL22: Robert Franks reveals why he signed for Brisbane Bullets

Robert Franks was on Brisbane Bullets’ NBL wish list for three years but resisted the call. Then he read a headline which changed his career path completely.

The Brisbane Bullets can thank a headline for helping them finally secure import forward Robert Franks after three years of failed recruiting attempts.

It’s late November 2020, and a forlorn Franks is looking frustrated as he deals with the devastation of being waived by the Orlando Magic after pre-season training camp.

His shattered feeling soon softened when a recent news story popped up on his phone.

The headline read: Houston Rockets sign Jae’Sean Tate from the Sydney Kings.

Franks remembers seeing the story and thinking it was achievable given he had previously attracted interest from the Bullets to join the NBL.

He thought he could follow in Tate’s steps, but he was focused on his NBA journey despite his latest stumble with the Magic.

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Franks had previously received a shot at the NBA via the Charlotte Hornets after going undrafted in 2019, but nothing eventuated other than a stint in the G League.

He was faced with the same situation at Orlando in 2020.

He played 14 games for the Lakeland Magic before receiving two 10-day NBA contracts – the second ending after just five days.

Robert Franks tries to keep a ball in play.

Just when Franks felt disillusioned with the brutal business reality of the world’s best league, his phone rang.

It was Brisbane general manager Sam Mackinnon making another play for him.

Franks had long been on the Bullets’ radar, but a deal never eventuated as the Seattle-born power forward honed in on making the NBA.

Brisbane had also attempted to lure him as their first choice import ahead of fellow Lakeland Magic star Vic Law in 2020, but again nothing happened.

Flash forward a year, though, and Franks was ready to make the jump with Tate’s NBL success story at the Kings in the back of his mind.

“It was all about opportunity having seen a lot of guys have success in the NBL and go back to the NBA and go on to better things to further their careers,” Franks, 25, said.

“That was very enticing for me. The Jae’Sean story joining the Rockets from the NBL just gave me a little thought.

“Seeing him have success in the league and him being coached by my now head coach at Brisbane in James Duncan, who was an assistant at the Kings.

Robert Franks defends Vic Law.

Robert Franks celebrates nailing a three-pointer.

“That just gave me more confidence to buy into what JD was saying and that it was 100 per cent right.

“I think I can put myself in a good position to have another shot at where I want to get back to.”

Franks had offers from European clubs on the table, but he felt like the time was right to travel abroad and finally join the Bullets.

He praised Mackinnon for his patience in recruiting him and selling him the vision for personal and team success at the Bullets.

“I love the way that Sam convinced me to come and play for the Bullets,” he said.

“He came crawling again and really sold that it was a great opportunity for me to showcase my ability and help Brisbane do something special.

“He had been going through my agent trying to sign me for the last couple of years, dating back to my college days.

“It felt really good that Sam did his homework and actually knew the type of player that I was.”

Franks has always fallen on his feet throughout his career despite facing multiple challenges.

He didn’t expect to reach the professional heights as a junior, even though he captained his high school team in Vancouver.

Jae`Sean Tate helped seal Robert Franks’ Bullets switch.

Franks played off the bench in his first two years at Washington State college before “blowing up” in his final two years.

During this time, he set a school record for most three-pointers made in a game with 10 from 13 attempts.

Franks declared for the 2018 NBA draft, but withdrew because he didn’t have an agent.

He returned for his senior year at Washington State, impressed and had another crack at the NBA draft a year later, but he went undrafted.

Since then, Franks has primarily played in the G League while only adding seven NBA games to his name with Orlando in the 2020-21 season.

“I’ve always had to hustle and grind,” he said.

“For me I like to have the underdog mentality wherever I go knowing that I’ve been in worse situations.

“It is just about having that resilience and making the most out of the opportunity that I’ve been given.”

Franks has been a standout for Brisbane in the opening rounds, averaging 21 points, 9.75 rebounds and shooting at 49 per cent from the field.

He concedes he’ll take time to adjust to the physical nature of the Australian league, but he is optimistic for the Bullets this season.

“It has been awesome, and we’re continuing to gel and consistently play at a high level,” he said.

“Nathan Sobey was a candidate for MVP last year and Lamar Patterson has got himself in shape and he has been looking great.

“Then you’ve got Jason Cadee, who is a steady vet guard who doesn’t mess up out there.

“It has been a pleasure playing with those guys – we’ve just got to stick in there.”

For the Bullets, the three years to finally secure Franks looks like being worth the wait.