Will Markelle Fultz Land Top Spot In 2017 NBA Draft?

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.