Will Markelle Fultz Land Top Spot In 2017 NBA Draft?

As the NCAA Mens basketball runs full swing at the NCAA Tournament, the University of Washington Huskies say farewell to Markelle Fultz

Months ago, University of Washington Huskies point guard Markelle Fultz was the toast of the NCAA and the NBA. Throughout it all, he maintained a low key demeanor. Fame did not seem to go to his head, despite national recognition as the top ranked college player heading towards the 2017 NBA Draft

Markelle Fultz’s decision to go pro came as no surprise.  It was expected. But the almost annointing presumption of his selection at the top of the 2017 NBA Draft is fading now.  Lonzo Ball is in the NCAA Tournament. Josh Jackson is in the NCAA Tournament.  Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox are in the NCAA Tournament.

Markelle Fultz is not.

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Earlier in the season, the NCAA Tournament possibilities did not matter to the grand scheme of things. Now? Like it or not, the myopia of current events weighs more heavily than recent history, or distant past.  Just a short time ago, the nation watched a humble, seldom recognized Markelle Fultz navigate a day at the University of Washington.  Top prospect of the NBA, incognito.

Ah, but those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end.  But they have. And now, questions arise. Will the momentum of his season carry him to the top of the 2017 NBA Draft?

PROS

This is still Markelle Fultz we are talking about, right? He was a sensation this season in NCAA competition. Fultz scored 23.2 points per game, pulled down 5.7 rebounds, dished out 5.9 assists (on a team without a true scoring threat), blocked 1.2 shots, picked 1.6 steals and played 35.7 minutes per game.

And Markelle Fultz did all of this on a team that clearly under-performed.  As a result, opposing teams knew they simply had to shut down Markelle Fultz, and they win. But that is far easier said than done. Even when blown out by the matchup of the season, Lonzo Ball vs. Markelle Fultz, Fultz was clearly the better player.  UCLA was the better team, however, as the final score was a blow out: 107-66.

On His Own

Fultz didn’t have the same team support that other top prospects enjoy. But he grew as a result. He learned to make his own shots. He shoots 47.6 percent from the floor, and 41.3 percent from downtown.

Markelle Fultz was never a glory seeker. He did not yell at coaches nor players to get the ball into his hands.  He accepted the plays from his head coach and executed them to the best of his ability. More often than not, that execution was nearly flawless.

He is the most versatile guard to enter the draft since James Harden. He is pro ready and he is the best at his craft, hands down.  His team may not have found much success, but that is through no fault of his own.

CONS

We must be talking about two different players. Is Markelle Fultz good? Very good, yes. But let’s not gloss over a few facts.

Since you’d mentioned that matchup of Markelle Fultz vs. Lonzo Ball, Fultz has only played in two games since. That’s six of the last eight games, including the first game in the PAC-12 tournament.  The official reason? “Sore Knee”.

While nobody questions the validity of the diagnosis, nor the need to sit here in this article, it adds two major questions to Markelle Fultz, just before the NBA Draft.  What is truly wrong with the knee?  And if he can only play 25 of 31 games in NCAA competition, how will he withstand a grueling 82 game schedule in the NBA?

Tough Questions

While those may be questions nobody is prepared to answer today, you can bet NBA scouts and general managers are prepared to ask them.

Meanwhile, let’s revisit those numbers. Yes, on average, they are good.  But Fultz is young, and as such is streaky.  Against California on January 12, 2017, he shot three of fifteen from the floor.  Against Western Kentucky earlier in the season? A similar story.

The book on Markelle Fultz is simple. Foul him.  He shot just 64.9 percent from the free throw line. Teams that fouled Fultz were far better than teams who chose to allow him to shoot unchallenged at three-point range.

The NCAA Tournament is filled with incredibly talented players. The difference? They are facing the nations best in head on games.  While Fultz can only be projected as to how he MIGHT do in the Tournament, those players prove it.

SUMMARY

There is no easy answer. Solid games and streaks of any of the top prospects in this NBA draft class will weigh heavily in the decision. Why?  Should it matter who has a good NCAA tournament? In the grand scheme of assessing talent levels, does it make a huge difference whether or not a player participates in March Madness?

Air Alamo

In the age of one and one players, decisions of those same players must be made with the best available data.  Succeeding in high levels of competition certainly trumps regular season play. It’s far easier to appear superior against inferior competition.

Virtually anyone can set a face pace running downhill.  But it is running uphill, against gravity, where the true runner’s fortitude and perseverance are challenged.

Health Factors In

Teams must weigh the known, with the unknown.  Joel Embiid, clearly the best talent in that 2017 NBA Draft, fell to third due to health concerns.  Right now, there is no bleak outlook for Markelle Fultz, but there are no answers either.

Markelle Fultz played an incredible season to the best of his ability. That is all that can be expected. The University of Washington decided it was time to change head coaches after the season’s disappointment.

Now Markelle Fultz must enter the 2017 NBA Draft to face the questions. What’s wrong with the knee?  Will you be able to hold up under an 82 game schedule.

Next: Building Mike Hopkins Coaching Staff

But perhaps the most important question of all. Why should an NBA team select Markelle Fultz with the first pick of the 2017 NBA Draft.