Will Markelle Fultz No Show PAC-12 Tourney Impact 2017 NBA Draft ?

Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) looks on form the bench during a game against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) looks on form the bench during a game against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
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Washington Huskies Mens Basketball star Markelle Fultz never saw the basketball court in the PAC-12 Tournament. His team did, and lost their thirteenth straight to rival USC 78-73

On one hand, Markelle Fultz is a phenomenal freshman basketball player for the University of Washington Huskies. On the other hand, he is likely a one-and-done player in NCAA Men’s basketball.  Even so, he is already on the tongues of virtually all NBA scouts.

Nearly all project him in the top three, many as the top prospect overall. Markelle Fultz’s dream of an NCAA tournament to launch his NBA career appears to be extinguished. A high ceiling NBA career can sooth that wound, but with his absence, is his NBA Draft stock suffering as well?

Markelle Fultz played in two of the team’s last eight games.  In the 2016-2017 season, he showed up and played hard in 25 of 31 games.

The NBA season is 82 games.

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Right now, the most important goal is to get Markelle Fultz healthy.  But that’s tough to understand, because the narrative about the injury has remained “sore knee”.  A bruise can be defined as a sore knee.  A sprain, strain, or tear to soft tissues can be described as a sore knee.

Some ailments are nothing. Some ailments mean everything.