Early Years and Washington
Ranked 7th on Espn 100 Markelle Fultz played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. Trying out for the team as a sophomore, he didn’t make it and played on the JV team. He made the varsity team as a junior and a senior. As a junior, he averaged 16.5 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game, and won the conference player of the year award. During his senior year Fultz averaged 19.1 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game while leading DeMatha to the WCAC championship game. Fultz showed his dominant scoring and strong rebounding as well his work ethic. Fultz was a member of the 2016 U-18 FIBA Americas gold medal-winning championship team earning an MVP and Being an All-American.
Fultz committed to playing for the University of Washington picking them from the many colleges who wanted the number 1 prospect. For the Huskies he averaged 23.2 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 5.9 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, 1.2 blocks per game. Even though the Huskies didn’t make the postseason Fultz showed why he’s the one of the best young prospects in the nation. Improving and dominating all of the statistic fields with his dominant all around play at the college level. “The college game isn’t challenging enough for him; he’s so good that I think he gets bored.” Said a scout. He posted the highest scoring average in the Pac-12 in over 20 years and became the first freshman to average over 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game since LaDrell Whitehead.
The Sixers and the NBA
After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick with the Phiadelphia 76ers, Fultz was really happy and proud of his accomplishment.
"Trust the process," he said. "That's all I've got to say." That’s the philosophy he has and uses in practice every single day. After being a non-playoff team and laughing stocks the 76ers are ready to make a turn to grace. The 76ers have a stack of young talent to add on with veterans. Joel Embiid (Round 1: Pick 3), Jahlil Okafor (Round 1: Pick 3), Ben Simmons (Round 1: Pick 1), and Fultz (Round 1: Pick 1) all picked in the first round the last three years are all under 24. With all of them healthy they are ready to make a nice playoff run in the new eastern conference. In the 2 games of NBA Summer League Fultz averaged 20 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists with an average of 24.5 minutes played. It ended with a sprained ankle injury which he fully recovered from.
“I actually want to be the best to ever play this game. And I think I have a pretty good chance to do that” he said. Fultz is ready to begin his NBA career and make a huge impact of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Skills and weaknesses
6’4 Markelle is not that small or big, but he is really fast and has a good all-around game. Another good quality is he can play both guard spots even though he’s a point; Fultz can play the shooting guard. Fultz has also shown he is a good rebounder and likes to run in transition (averaging 8 in high school and 6 in college).
Passing- He can create for his teammates, both in the drive-and-kick game and when he's running pick-and-roll action. Fultz has shown he can make his teammates lives easier on the court but needs to work on his passing and spacing on both sides of the court.
Scorer/Shooting- Since high school, his scoring has increased from 16.8 to 19.1 from junior to senior. In college, he, averaged 23.2 points per game the highest average in Pac 12 that year. He can thrive as a go-to scorer, whether he's creating his own shots off the jump or working as an off-ball cutter and spot-up shooter.
Defense- At the college level, he showed improvement on defense averaging 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks as a Huskie showing aggressiveness on the defensive side of the floor.
How can he improve? - His defense still needs work, as sometimes he doesn’t show much skill or effort on the defensive side. Though he’s a talented player his play has not translated to success so he needs to become a more valued leader for this 76ers team.
Predicting his Rookie Year
16-18 Points per game
3-5 Rebounds per game
3-4.5 Assists per game
1-1.5 Steals per game
0.5-1 Blocks per game
43-46 FG%
36-40 3P%
70-75 FT%
By Corey Robert Richards / morningnbadaily@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment