Washington Basketball Markelle Fultz heard his named called as the number one selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. But he stood out not just because he plays basketball well, but he performs so many basketball skills well
There are two paths to stand out in the game of basketball. One method is to be so good at one aspect, that you outshine everyone. The other path is to excel at virtually all basketball skills to the point where you are among the leaders in nearly every category. Washington Basketball standout Markelle Fultz chose the latter.
The 2017 NBA Draft arrived with one of the deepest top tiers in many years, with some projecting as many as nine-ten prospects capable of achieving NBA All-Star status in their careers. So how did Markelle Fultz truly rise above all others? Well first of all, he looks good on the TV talk show circuit.
The young man is coming into his own now. With an NBA career about to launch, and as the top rated NCAA player to come off the board, he must meet some pretty high expectations. But what of his play. Is he truly a number one prospect, or simply the best fit with the top selecting team?
NBA mock draft board
To learn a little bit about that, let’s look at the team draft board as projected after the lottery. So Sixer Sense’s Christopher Kline authored a post lottery mock which spells out the reason for Fultz’s top billing
"“Fultz is in a class of his own this year, which is impressive given the sheer talent gracing the front end of this year’s rookie crop. He combines the physical tools (6-4 with a 6-9 wingspan) and the all-around repertoire needed to make an immediate impact at the next level, boasting markedly fewer weaknesses than your typical 19-year-old point guard. (Fultz) scores well at all three levels, while doing so both in volume and with a sense of control that seldom manifests in rookie players.(In fact,) He doesn’t get rattled easily and, for the most part, avoids unforced errors.”"
The NBA mock draft boards had a solid consensus at number one. Fultz was the guy. While some projected other prospect potential higher, or specific skills to a point guard higher, those prospects fell short in some categories.
Washington Basketball guard Markelle Fultz did not.
Jack of all trades, but mastered many too
In short, Markelle Fultz mastered many basketball skills, but had no holes in his overall game. He was the engine, the offense, the facilitator, and the long range marksman for the Washington Basketball team. As such, he had to exhibit incredible court awareness and hold a high basketball IQ as well.
The Washington Basketball team planned to join Markelle Fultz with forward Marquese Chriss and guard Dejounte Murray. That didn’t happen as both Chriss and Murray entered the NBA Draft. Rather than cut and run, Markelle Fultz stuck with his commitment. Despite playing to a losing record, he played spectacularly. In fact, Murray turned to social media to speak up for Fultz in days leading up to the NBA draft.
Ultimately, the NBA agreed with Murray. He is the 2017 NBA Draft top selection. He did not carry his team to an NCAA championship, nor even to a winning record. But he was relentless in his effort each and every play.
Youth Movement
Markelle Fultz is the right player at the right time for the right team. The Philadelphia 76ers built the team around a core of young players who project as NBA leaders of tomorrow. With two players in the running for 2017 NBA Rookies of the Year in Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, the team assembled a young baseline. Now, the team adds both Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.
Busting Brackets
And that creates problems for the NBA.
Markelle Fultz, like many 76ers players, are the equivalent of NBA Transformers. He is a point guard and a shooting guard. As such, he wins the battles of one on one more often than not. If the opposing team guards him with a point guard, he dives to the basket, passes off while he resets, and then takes the open shot at the three-point line. If the opponent guards him with a shooting guard, he ignites a burst of speed to drive to the basket.
Versatility compound effect
That complexity magnifies in the Sixers lineup, as many players projected to start have proficiency at more than one position. So ultimately, the 76ers lineup will expose a mismatch from their opponents, with the ultimate intent to gain a significant advantage.
Whomever the 76ers face, the likelihood that one matchup is in their favor is very good. And the likelihood that favorable matchup falls upon Fultz is very good as well.
Next: Former Washington Basketball PG Isaiah Thomas Still Breaking Barriers
Fultz mastered many skills at Washington from need. Now, he enters the NBA naturally versatile, at a time when the NBA prizes versatile players. Ultimately, Washington Basketball Markelle Fultz is joining the NBA at the right time. Not only is he an outstanding basketball player. But he is exactly what the NBA is looking for.