Robert Franks reflects on his first week in the NBA

Dreams do come true, but the grind is sold separately, says Franks

There are so many innovations associated with a professional athlete’s journey.

A first contract.

A first preseason.

Nothing compares to the first regular game of the season.

Robert Franks, who graduated from Evergreen High School in Vancouver in 2015, spoke to Clark County Today about his first week in the NBA. Photo courtesy of Orlando Magic

Last week, Robert Franks signed a 10-day contract with the National Basketball Association’s Orlando Magic. Later that day, he was on his first line during foreplay. Then he checked into a regular season game for the first time. He made his first shot and buried that 3-pointer. For the first time in his NBA career, he allowed himself a mini-celebration where he signaled ‘3’ with his fingers.

“Honestly, it just felt like a great ape jumped off my back,” Franks said in a phone interview. “It has been a dream of mine to play in the NBA since I was 4 years old.”

Robert Franks, a 2015 graduate of Evergreen High School, a Vancouver man who never let go of this dream has made it.

Oh, he’s not done yet. Not even close. One goal has been achieved, but he says there is so much more to be achieved.

At the moment, however, he can appreciate where he was and where he is today.

“I cannot repeat enough how grateful and blessed I am to be in this position,” said Franks.

All athletes want to be first round draft picks. They all want guaranteed wealth and success once they become professionals. The reality is that a lot of the players in the NBA don’t get there that way.

After an outstanding career in Washington state, Franks was no longer signed in 2019. He signed a two-way deal with the Charlotte Bobcats and played for the franchise team in the G League, a development league. While Franks played well there, the organization didn’t work out. He asked and received a deal with the Sacramento Organization and played for the Kings G-League team for a while.

The pandemic hit. Everything came halfway. And Franks was a free agent.

He signed a training camp deal with Magic prior to this season and even got a few preseason games in a matter of minutes. But he didn’t make the NBA list. Instead, Franks returned to the G League, which played a no-travel schedule just for Florida this winter. Franks helped Lakeland Magic to the G-League championship in March.

Then he hoped to get a call.

It took a month, but the call got through. Franks signed a 10-day contract on April 12th.

“It was just a pleasure to sign this contract,” said Franks. “It’s a great feeling just to know that I’ve worked so hard. I have been disciplined about my craft. It just felt like all the trials and difficulties I went through had paid off. It gives me more motivation to move forward. This is not the end. Just keep working hard. “

Franks played 15 minutes in that first game, a loss to Spurs. He scored four points.

In the line-up before the game, Franks took a moment to think.

“That was exactly the feeling. ‘OK Robert. You have arrived, ”said Franks. “Just to be able to do what I love at a high level, I’m just so grateful for it.”

Next came his first NBA action. He had to remember that it was basketball, the game he had been playing for as long as he could remember.

Robert Franks, shown here in 2019, next to the shoes he wore when he made 10 3-pointers in a game for Washington State. The Vancouver man now plays in the NBA for the Orlando Magic. Photo by Paul Valencia

“When I checked in, that was the first thing I said to myself. At the end of the day, it’s another basketball court, ”said Franks. “Just another group of people out here. We’re on a bigger stage now. “

Then it was at the top of the key, outside the 3-point line, open. The ball got in his way.

“Having the opportunity to take my first shot, to take my first shot, was just so surreal at the moment,” said Franks.

The next day, Magic traveled to Chicago on a Tuesday to prepare for a Wednesday game with the cops.

While there was no travel in the G League this season, Franks experienced travel in the G League in his first professional season.

Let’s just say the NBA players are doing a little better than the G League.

“It’s night and day, man,” said Franks, adding that he loved not having to go through TSA at the airport.

“When you can go straight to the PFY, you appreciate these things a little more. It was a blessing. “

Wait what The PFY?

“Private jet,” said Franks.

We’re not in Vancouver anymore.

He didn’t play in his second game, a street game in Chicago.

“It allowed me to take a step back and see the game from a different perspective,” said Franks. “If I don’t play, I still have to add value to the team. I have to be a great teammate on the bench and communicate. When I come in and not be there all season, it’s an easy transition for me to pay attention to certain things, certain sets, certain people’s tendencies. There are always advantages, even when not playing, to just being a student of the game. “

Orlando played in Franks’ third game against Toronto. He played a few minutes and scored four points.

On Sunday he was told by his coaches that he would be in the main rotation at the team’s home game against Houston. Sure enough, Franks was one of the first to leave the bank. He reached a career high of five points – including a highlight scoop shot for a defender – and had a blocked shot and assist in 15 minutes.

Tuesday night the Magic are in Atlanta to take on the Hawks. The 10-day contract is almost over, and Magic will have to make a decision about Frank’s immediate future.

“That’s one thing in this business. You never know, ”said Franks. “Every day I’ll go in and just give it my all. After the 10 days, I hope to sit back and say that I’ve done all I could and can leave it in their hands. “

That matter will clear itself later this week. No matter what, Franks said he would keep working on his game. This is just the beginning of his NBA career. He never doubted that he was part of an NBA roster.

“Honestly, no,” he said. “Somehow I always knew. I had that confidence. That confidence came from my work ethic. I was always determined to come here. You will always go through adversity. Not everything will be perfect on the trip. But I accept and accept every challenge as soon as it comes. “

In fact, that is his message to all of the youth at home in Vancouver.

“Hard work, commitment and discipline. These three things will get you this far in life, ”said Franks. “Dreams can come true. However, the grind is sold separately. You have to grind for it.”