It’s very hard to break into the NBA and, for many, it’s also incredibly difficult to stay in the league.
That’s exactly what Markelle Fultz has learned over the last seven years.
Evan Sidery has written a new piece for Forbes that sums up all the problems Fultz has had since being the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017.
Fultz is currently a free agent trying to find a place on a team before training camps start in a few weeks.
His time in the league has been disappointing and challenging, but can he turn things around?
In 2017, Markelle Fultz was drafted No. 1 overall viewed as the NBA’s next great star guard.
Seven years later, the 26-year-old remains unsigned.
Fultz’s extensive injury history and lack of perimeter shooting appears to be playing a huge role.
For @Forbes, I dove into the…
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) September 20, 2024
In the article, it is noted that Fultz was seen as the next big thing back in 2017.
The Philadelphia 76ers fought hard to take him as the top pick in the draft, especially because he averaged 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists during his run in college.
He was legitimately a superstar, but things hit a snag when he entered the NBA.
What followed were years of injuries and a diminishing output on the court.
After two years in Philadelphia, he moved to the Orlando Magic, where he has averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
His defense has improved but his offense has fallen off and it looks like no team is leaping at the chance to sign him.
Fultz isn’t the first number-one pick to have problems and Fultz clearly hasn’t given up.
But as training camp approaches, Fultz’s chances of signing to a team are shrinking.
Front offices are scared to acquire him because they are fearful of his injuries and his lack of offense.
We may never see Fultz play like he did in college and there is a growing concern that NBA fans might never see him on the court again.
