Philadelphia 76ers' draft picks Anzejs Pasecniks, from left, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort pose after a news conference at the team's NBA basketball training complex, Friday, June 23, 2017, in Camden, NJ.
The choice of Fultz fits in nicely with Philadelphia's rebuilding programme. He famously panned the Porzingis pick at the time, and that turned out to be a home run.
"I'm excited for our fans and for the 76ers organization that we were able to select the top player in the NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz", managing general partner Josh Harris said in a statement released by the team. The two of them together can make players on the floor better. "This is a tremendous night for the Sixers and our great fans".
"It was unbelievable, really", said Fultz when asked about the feeling of crossing the stage after being announced as top pick. "Once I heard my name called it was like God calling me". Cut from the varsity team as a sophomore at DeMatha Catholic High School in 2013 because he was only 5-foot-9, Fultz dominated opponents on the junior varsity level then continued his stellar performances in his final two years at high school. The first two, Doug Collins in 1973 and Allen Iverson in 1996, worked out pretty well.
The 1.93m guard became the second consecutive number one overall pick by Philadelphia, following forward Ben Simmons a year ago. Boston drafted Duke swingman Jayson Tatum third (that's who Ainge would've drafted over Fultz, Sixers fans) and the Knicks drafted Frank "Frankie Nicotine" Ntilikina eighth overall. "Anytime you want the ball, just let me know and it's going to be there".
On May 17, team president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo replied, "It's something we'll talk about at the appropriate time". Fultz (25 points) actually outscored Ball (22 points), but the Bruins blew the Huskies out by about 30 points.
Fultz, a native of Upper Marlboro, Md., played his scholastic basketball at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md.
Fultz is a late bloomer.
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That is why Fultz's team-mate Embiid is fully on board with the opinion, as outlandish as it may be for a team that have won 75 games in their last four full seasons combined. No other United States university player averaged 14 points with six rebounds and six assists a game as well. Fultz was chosen first-team All-Pac-12.
Nine-year veteran Lopez appeared posted averages of 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks last season while becoming the longest-tenured player in Nets history.
It is his versatility that the Sixers coveted the most. "He can play both guard spots".
The Lakers landed the point guard who's destined to lead them back to the promised land in Lonzo Ball, which is only a slight exaggeration.
■ Ben Simmons, a 6-10 facilitator. He also has to improve his free-throw shooting.
The former Washington star had promised to make a shoe statement. The Orlando Magic selected Shaquille O'Neal in 1992 and Chris Webber the next year.
A healthy Embiid would no doubt take pressure off both Fultz and Simmons, who will be a rookie in his second year.
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