Bruton has faith in Franks, Cleveland

CJ Bruton says he targeted established NBL talent with his import slots this year and wants Robert Franks and Antonius Cleveland to feel valued in their new organisation.

Reigning NBL Defensive Player of the Year Cleveland has linked up with the Adelaide 36ers after a successful season in Illawarra, while Franks comes into the side from the Bullets despite reported heavy interest in his services from Europe.

As a six-time NBL champion from his illustrious playing days, Bruton is well-aware of the challenges import players face all across the world.

“I know it’s not easy being an import … you understand the urgency from feeding your family, getting your next job and the opportunities that come from that, your team success versus your success, the buy-in, it’s all those parts,” Bruton told the Ball and the Real World podcast.

“[Some] imports it’s one year and they move on. I made sure both these guys are signed for two years so they feel comfortable and valued. I appreciate them.

“To put that at ease and know what sort of players we’re getting and where we’re at, it was important to show them and tell them … how we’ll look after their families as well as grow this game in Adelaide.”

While they are established NBL talents, Bruton and the 36ers didn’t just target Franks and Cleveland because of their history in the league. Their specific skillsets will lend themselves well to cover some of Adelaide's well-exposed weaknesses from the 2021/2022 season. 

Although the pair have already gone some way towards building their own NBL legacies, Bruton has gone as far as to compare them with two of the greatest players in 36ers history.

 “You’ll remember what Darnell Mee won when he came and his reputation, he was the 36ers and his ability to impact the game on the defensive end, handle the ball, make space, I look at Cleveland in that space … [and] Franks is the Kevin Brooks,” Bruton said.

“They’ve both played little stints in the NBA, they’ve both played in the G-League, they’ve both played in our competition and both have been very good at their trade.

“They’re both good kids, they both want to win, they’ll both do what’s necessary for their team and they both had a skillset we needed as you saw from last year.

“Those two guys remind me of the past players I had to go against on a consistent basis and run through.

“I’m trying to think of talent in our competition, how you utilise it, make the most of it, allow them to breathe and see success within themselves and in the group.”