Markelle Fultz Latest Philadelphia bound Washington Huskies player

The Washington Basketball team has been getting national attention due to point guard Markelle Fultz projection as the top pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. With tonight’s NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz will become the third Husky to land in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The 2017 NBA Draft holds a great deal of promise and instant life changing fame for those fortunate enough to hear their name called. Washington Basketball guard Markelle Fultz is one such player. Life, as he knows it, is about to change. Tonight, Markelle Fultz will become the second Washington Huskies basketball player to hear their name as the first selection in 2017.

Kelsey Plum, an NCAA record setter, was selected first overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft. Since that time, Plum has made headlines with her courageous display of her athleticism and personable manners.

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Kelsey Plum and Markelle Fultz have a special bond, forged from athletes who are bound for greatness from the same school.  As such, they have trained together, and been there for one another.  In fact, Plum has taken time to offer sage advice to her friend as he faces the 2017 NBA Draft. Washington Huskies treat one another like family.

Tale of two cities

Seattle and Philadelphia are at opposite sides of the country. Philadelphia is east coast, Seattle is west coast. They coexist in different time zones, have different histories, cultures, and infrastructures. But having lived in both, I can say they share some very important similarities. Both cities are passionate. In fact, they are almost identical in the way they support their sports team.

But Philadelphia is building a special basketball team. The team has taken the road less traveled. In four years, the team deferred immediate value to build long term.  That resulted in waiting two years for center Joel Embiid to heal, two years for Dario Saric to arrive from overseas.  The team waited a year for Ben Simmons to heal. And  the team waited until 2017 for Markelle Fultz.  the city of Philadelphia envisions Fultz as the last piece to the roster puzzle to break into post-season play.  And they may be right.

Still, Markelle Fultz is just one man.

Washington Huskies Vanguard

Only, Fultz is not alone. The same Philadelphia already is home to two Washington Football players: Sidney Jones IV and Elijah Qualls.  They arrived earlier in the year via the 2017 NFL Draft, and have already established a vanguard for the next Washington Husky’s arrival.

Next: February 4, 2017 – The night Ball and Fultz went head to head

Philadelphia is a great city for players who have intensity and focus. Fans cheer players who give solid effort, and that is the calling card of Washington Huskies players from any sport.  Markelle Fultz is the first Washington Basketball player to be selected top of the NBA class.  Even more rare, it is the first time the WNBA and NBA top selection hailed from the same school.

Markelle Fultz has dedicated his life to this moment tonight.  The Philadelphia 76ers have spent the past four years preparing for the arrival of a player with his elite talents.  Perhaps, much like Sixers fans have claimed, it has been destiny all along.  In any case, it feels like a perfect fit in many ways.