Q&A: Franz Wagner on Magic expectations, Paolo Banchero, career goals, German basketball
Franz Wagner is becoming one of the young faces of German basketball and the Orlando Magic before our eyes, and he knows his development will be crucial to the success of both.
At 21, Wagner was one of the top scorers for the bronze-winning German team at Eurobasket, including a 32-point game against Lithuania. Wagner finished one made free throw away from averaging a 50-40-90 shooting split in the tournament, as noted by colleague Alberto De Roa.
In Orlando, projects as a frontcourt stalwart for the Magic alongside top overall pick Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. as a playmaking forward who can score off the dribble, defend multiple positions, and play point guard in spurts.
One longtime NBA general manager compared Wagner to fellow German forward Detlef Schrempf, a three-time All-Star and two-time Sixth Man of the Year.
“He’s so big and skilled,” Banchero added. “He’s also really smart. You can trust that he’ll make the right read and the right play. It helps a lot having a guy that size with the right IQ to play the position.”
Before facing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Wagner discussed how playing for Germany in Eurobasket has spurred his development, what to expect from the German National Team in the future, his long-term goals, expectations for the Magic, Banchero’s ceiling, and more with HoopsHype.
What’s your reaction to NBA executives voting you as one of the top breakout candidates in our HoopsHype poll?
Franz Wagner: It’s super cool to hear that as a player and as a person people respect. Obviously, people knowing about you in this league is a cool thing. I think I’ve just got to keep working. The way our team is set up, we have a lot of guys that are going to get a lot of responsibility. As a young player, I’m super grateful to get all of those opportunities, and I just want to make the most of it. It’s cool because we have so many young guys and really only young guys. The development of us as young players is going to determine where this team is going. I think that’s super cool for me and all of us.
How did playing for Germany in Eurobasket help your development?
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FW: It meant a lot. As a young basketball player, that’s what you dream about growing up, playing for your national team. I was in Berlin, where I grew up. It was super special for me. I think having another chance to have a little bit more responsibility, play in really important games, and learning how to deal with that at that level for the first time I think was a great learning experience. It gave me a lot of confidence that I’m good enough to be in those situations and help the team win.
What parts of your game have you been working on?
FW: Shooting is a big thing for me. I think to make the next step, being a more consistent shooter, especially off the dribble, and finishing at the rim. All that is intertwined with getting more fluid with the ball and making better decisions.
Did you talk to Dirk Nowitzki and receive any advice at EuroBasket?
FW: I met him for a little bit after one of our games. We got to talk a little bit. It was cool for me to see him. Honestly, I still have to get used to being around those people who I grew up watching and that are role models for me.
How do you feel about being one of the faces of the next generation of German basketball?
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FW: Hopefully, I can be a part of that. I think we made huge strides this summer as a group. Obviously, Dennis (Schroeder) was the focal point and leader of that development. I think it’s going to take a lot of young guys to keep that going for the future. I think we have a lot of talent. I think this experience helped me a lot, and hopefully it’ll help me a lot in the future to bring German basketball a little bit more notoriety.
What are the expectations for the Magic within the locker room?
FW: I wouldn’t say it’s a measurable result that we’re going for. We’re going for progression every day and getting better. Even though we’ve lost the first few games, I think you can see a lot of improvements compared to last year. If we continue on this path, gel a bit more together, and communicate more, I think all that stuff takes time. All the great teams in the league got that time.
Has anything surprised you about being in the NBA so far?
FW: The crazy schedule and playing so much basketball. You get used to that at some point. I still think I’ve got to get used to that there’s a game every other day mentally and physically especially.
What are your long-term goals?
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FW: I want to be a winning player. I want to be someone who’s remembered as someone people could count on in important situations and somebody who brings a positive impact to a team by doing whatever is needed. I think my versatility and my approach to the game are that I’m easy to plug in and how I can adapt to new stuff. I think that’s my biggest strength. Hopefully, I can develop and do a bunch of stuff.
Who would you compare your game to?
FW: It’s tough. I think you always take stuff from a bunch of different guys. Some stuff works and comes easier to you in your game. I think Dirk Nowitzki was a huge inspiration for me. I don’t know if I’ve ever watched one player and tried only his moves. I think my game is not as easy to compare as others. When I was in Berlin, we watched Dejan Bodiroga. He played in Barcelona and used to do the Shammgod. He was a big guard. That was the first time I remember a coach showing me clips that could work for me.
What have you seen from Paolo Banchero, and how can he help you guys long-term?
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FW: I’m super impressed. It’s not just the output he’s had already in these first few games. His poise, composure, and confidence that he brings not just for himself but for the whole group are really impressive for such a young guy. He’s really coachable. To be the first pick, come in so humble and eager to learn stuff from everybody, I think, is going to make him a great player.
How’s it been playing with your brother, Moe Wagner?
FW: It’s a special dynamic. We live together and spend a bunch of time together. We’re catching up on time we lost when he was at Michigan and the NBA while we went our separate ways. We’re just trying to make the most of the time we get together. It’s something we had to get used to after really seven years of not being together. He was a huge help for me my first year and still is with getting used to the schedule. Seeing his routine and how habitual he is about it is really important. It’s important to help cope with the stress of travel.
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto
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