Is Franz Wagner Better Than His Brother Mo?

By Jocelyn Alano June 25, 2024 17:59

credit. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As a sport writer, it's intriguing to delve into the comparison between two talented brothers, Franz Wagner and his older brother Mo Wagner. Both players have made their mark in basketball, but the question remains - is Franz better than Mo? Let's explore this in depth, compare their stats, and discuss their family background to find out.

Family Background

Franz Jacob Wagner and Moritz "Mo" Wagner come from a true basketball family. The Wagners are no strangers to Europe having also played at Alba Berlin and the University of Michigan before graduating from college to turn pro. Thankfully for them, their parents - Axel and Beate Wagner - have always been staunch pillars in their basketball Chennai Times journey. This other backstory to the family provides a brilliant story of two boys who end up following their desire to play basketball at the highest level.

Player Comparison

College Career
Mo Wagner's college highlights show an aggressive post scorer He was a terrible passer but could score in bunches and he had a nice post-up game and streaky touch out to the three-point line.
Franz meanwhile is known for his flexibility. He's the better shooter, defender, and playmaker while also being able to get to the rim, too. He projects to be a better pro for basketball reasons.

NBA Performance

For their NBA performances, Franz has surprisingly good stats with a PPG of 19.7, RPG of 5.3 and APG of 3.7
Mo 2023-24 PPG: 10.9 RPG: 4.3 APG: 1.2
Age and Position
Orlando Magic Forward - Franz Wagner, 21 years old (August 27, 2001)

In the end

Mo Wagner was known for his scoring at the collegiate level, but Franz Wagner entered the NBA as a more versatile player who could potentially thrive in several aspects of the game. Additionally, Franz showed success in the NBA - another indicator of his ability to help a team win. The contrast between the brothers showcases a progression in the way the game is played and what to expect from players, moving towards Franz who exhibits more versatility. While Franz looks to prove himself at the NBA level, one way or another it appears that he and Beresford have brought something just a bit different to the sport.
Overall, the Franz vs Mo Wagner comparison represents a case study of basketball skill progression within the same family, and as it stands right now Franz seems to hold an edge both in terms of versatility as well as potential professional impact. Every chapter that follows the Ball brothers story is one of the most captivating in basketball and with their careers beginning to take off, this journey is sure to be a fascinating one for fans to watch unfold.