Will Markelle Fultz No Show PAC-12 Tourney Impact 2017 NBA Draft ?
By Bret Stuter
![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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/564f5c5444b814e59695bbef690ba65342645a942754a07b0e63814c7a326a9c.jpg)
Debate and Defense
The matter of Markelle Fultz’s health has been a prolonged debate in the closing months of the season. He fell off the grid after the “great showbown” between himself and UCLA NBA Draft hopeful Lonzo Ball. UCLA won that game 107 – 66. While Fultz led all scorers in that game with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 assists, Ball chipped in 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 assists.
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Fultz would sit the next two games, but returned to play against Arizona State and Arizona. He didn’t play a game after that. Some suggested he decided not to risk injury for a losing team with a huge NBA Draft day coming up.
That caused head coach Lorenzo Romar to come to his defense, emphatically.
Lorenzo Romar with a pretty pointed defense of Markelle Fultz's season and injury: pic.twitter.com/LpYRGHUfgX
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) February 19, 2017
After he returned for two games, the hope was that he was back, and would finish out on a positive note with his team.
But after two games, he was sore again. The doctors decided he needed to rest the knee. And so he did.