The Memphis Grizzlies have selected San Diego State swingman Jamaal Franklin with the No. 41 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Franklin was talked about as possible first-round pick, but he slipped down to the second.
NBA Draft 2013: Memphis Grizzlies select Jamaal Franklin with No. 41 pick
The Grizzlies drafted some much-needed wing help in the form of Jamaal Franklin with the No. 41 pick.
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Franklin left SDSU following his junior season and could follow the same trajectory as fellow former Aztec Kawhi Leonard. Like the Spurs forward, Franklin is viewed as a do-it-all type of role player who gets by with will more than any outright specialty.
At 6'5 and 190 pounds, he played bigger than his size and is a fierce competitor and defender. In that sense, he is much like Leonard as well. Franklin led the Aztecs with 17 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game this past season to follow up a healthy sophomore campaign where he burst onto the scene thanks to stepping out from Leonard's shadow. Franklin played just eight minutes per game his freshman year in 2010-11, Leonard's last season at San Diego State.
As an NBA player, Franklin projects as a shooting guard, but his biggest issue is finding consistency with his jump shot. As an explosive athlete who can get to the rim because of his skillset and drive, how much he develops a perimeter game will define how well he turns into a contributing NBA player.
Memphis needed some help on the wing, and they got some in the form of Franklin. The guard doesn’t exactly provide the shooting the Grizzlies need, but that’s something that could be developed over the course of his career.
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