36ers’ Roster Puzzle Nears Resolution

The Adelaide 36ers’ search for an import has been a challenging one to say the least – not because of a lack of options or talent, but a frustrating waiting game on the status of contracted import Robert Franks. 

Franks had been “open and honest” about his search for new opportunities overseas, according to coach CJ Bruton. 

But after already committing to another import, Jacob Wiley, and with Franks still searching for a club, the 36ers faced the very real prospect of not having a spare spot on their roster to fill a very real need – a two-way guard. 

According to ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc, a resolution is close.  

“What I’m told is that Robert Franks is nearing a contract with a Japanese team,” Uluc told NBL Media. 

“That is really important for the Adelaide 36ers, who were unsure if he was going to be back or not.

“The feeling with CJ Bruton was that they might have to bring him back, and we spoke about this earlier in the week that there might not be a deal there for Robert Franks, so they were going to have to bring him back and he [Bruton] couldn’t go and get the point guard or the creator that he wanted.

“It seems like Robert Franks is really close to a deal in Japan … that means that the 36ers can engage in the out situation with Rob Franks and means CJ Bruton hasn’t wasted his time here. It means that he can engage fully with the guards he’s been looking at.”

The news will come as a welcome relief for the 36ers, who have been one of the most active teams during Free Agency. 

Jason Cadee and Isaac Humphries have landed from rival clubs, while Wiley brings valuable NBL experience, having averaged 12.3 points and five rebounds a game during a stint with Adelaide in 2018-2019. 

Adelaide has also retained its core group, with Antonius Cleveland, Mitch McCarron, Sunday Dech, Kyrin Galloway and Nick Marshall all set to return.