- Paris Olympics takeaways: What did Team USA’s crunch-time lineup say about NBA’s hierarchy?Posted 3 months ago
- Zach Edey posted an easy double-double in Summer League debut. Here’s why he’ll succeed in NBAPosted 4 months ago
- What will we most remember these champion Boston Celtics for?Posted 5 months ago
- After long, seven-year road filled with excruciating losses, Celtics’ coast to NBA title felt ‘surreal’Posted 5 months ago
- South Florida men’s basketball is on an unbelievable heater– but also still on the bubblePosted 9 months ago
- Kobe Bufkin is balling out for Atlanta Hawks’ G League team. When will he be called up to NBA?Posted 10 months ago
- Former Knicks guards Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett may yet prove Raptors won the OG Anunoby tradePosted 10 months ago
- Rebounding savant Oscar Tshiebwe finally gets NBA chance he’s deserved for yearsPosted 11 months ago
- Is Tyrese Maxey vs. Tyrese Haliburton the next great NBA guard rivalry?Posted 1 year ago
- The Detroit Pistons are going to be a problem in a few yearsPosted 1 year ago
NBA Draft Profile: Jamaal Franklin
- Updated: May 13, 2013
JAMAAL FRANKLIN
6-5, 205 lbs.
School: San Diego St.
Class: Junior
STRENGTHS: Besides being one of the only players in history to rock the long sleeve shirt under his uniform, Franklin is known for his versatility and productivity in every facet of the game. (The long sleeves are awesome though). Though San Diego State played with a four-guard lineup, Franklin led the Aztecs with 9.5 rebounds per game last season. He also led the team in scoring (17 ppg), assists (3.2) and steals (1.6). Franklin has NBA size and strength, and he has the potential to be a Tony Allen-like defender. Though he’s not super-quick, he has the size and toughness to be disruptive on the defensive end of the floor.
WEAKNESSES: Franklin isn’t a great shooter- he shot just 28 percent from 3-point range and just 41 percent from the field. Those numbers aren’t going to cut it as a shooting guard in the NBA. He played big at San Diego State and thus could be a tweener at the NBA level. He’s not an elite athlete, or at least doesn’t showcase his athleticism on a regular basis. He can throw down highlight-reel dunks but seems grounded in the half-court setting and doesn’t have top-level explosiveness. As NBADraft.net points out, detractors say that most of his points come from his length rather than quickness, and much of his production comes from garbage points.
BOTTOM LINE: Franklin has a future in the league as a defensive specialist and all-around facilitator. He’s never going to be a great scorer, but he brings enough tools (rebounding, assists, steals) to succeed in the NBA. His best-case scenario may be to become a Tony Allen-like player, and if he can do that, he’ll stick in the league for a long time.
