The first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz, only played four games this season for the Philadelphia 76ers before being sidelined due to a shoulder injury in October. As it turns out, those four games could be the only time we have seen Fultz in NBA this season. 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo spoke with the media on Friday and said that there isn’t a timeline for Fultz’s return yet.
“There’s always a chance that he’s going to be out there soon, and there’s a chance that he’s not going to play this year,” – said Colangelo. “I can’t answer that question because we don’t know the answer.”
The main problem with Fultz’s injury is that it messed up his shoot, an asset for which the 76ers used the first overall pick on him. He was an extraordinary shooter in college, able to hit bot the three-pointers and mid-range jumper, something he hasn’t shown on the big stage. The injury is obviously much more serious than it seemed on the beginning since according to Colangelo, Fultz is currently limited to only making shots in the paint.
“It’s within the paint, basically,” – said Colangelo. “Paint shots. Perimeter shots are where you kind of draw a line.“
If Markelle Fultz doesn’t come back, he will be ranked fifth in terms of fewest games played in the rookie season for by a No. 1 overall draft pick.
Although the Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff and front office doesn’t want to prematurely put Fultz back on the court, the player himself really wants to come back.
“It’s very frustrating,” – said Fultz to TNT on Tuesday. “I want to be out there real bad, competing with my team. It’s been tough really, but at the end of the day I know it’s going to make me better.“
