Name: Jamaal Franklin
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-5
Position: Shooting Guard
School/Country: San Diego State
Latest Stats: 17.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.6 spg
After three seasons at San Diego State, 6-foot-5 shooting guard Jamaal Franklin is headed to the professional ranks. Franklin’s decision to enter his name in the 2013 NBA Draft really came as no true shock, especially given the tremendous strides that he has continuously made over the last few years. Franklin burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2011-12 and could have been a first round selection had he made the decision to leave school a year ago.
Franklin however, has first round potential once again here in 2013 and rightfully so. Franklin can stuff the stat sheet and his athleticism is through the roof. Want a glimpse of that athleticism? Click here and check out this mid-game, self alley-oop from this past season.
Franklin can shoot the basketball and can get to the rim, but his long frame allows him to be a pest on the glass and defensive end, as well. Franklin has a wide variety of potential in this June’s draft and could hear his name called anywhere in the latter half of the first round. He’s a production value however, so whoever drafts Franklin should expect some sort of contribution almost immediately.
Strengths: Franklin has tons of upside. A proven ability to score the basketball, rebound the basketball and downright stuff the stat sheet has picked up the attention that it has warranted. Franklin burst onto the scene as a sophomore, but he added to that foundation with another great run during the 2012-13 season. Franklin is no one-year wonder and he uses his through the roof athleticism to his advantage.
Weaknesses: Franklin is not the most physical of guards and his explosiveness is not utilized all that well. Franklin can sometimes rely too much of his length rather than asserting his quickness, which isn’t going to work very well at the NBA level. Franklin is going to need to develop other ways to score at the professional level than what he was used to at San Diego State.
Draft Projection: Late First Round
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
