Even though the 2017 NBA draft class seems loaded with top point guard prospects, Washington’s Markelle Fultz has already separated himself from the others.
The 2017 NBA draft class has more top point guard prospects than in years past, but none have as much potential as Washington’s Markelle Fultz.
Right now the professional game boasts not only multiple star guards but plenty of solid starters. Depth at the position has never been greater and the incoming talent base means great things for the NBA game.
With basketball currently built around a fast pace and perimeter scoring, point guards are a necessity to execute such an offense.
Teams want a floor general who’s versatile in setting up others and getting their own shot.
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Lonzo Ball and Dennis Smith Jr. are already showing those skills at UCLA and North Carolina State, respectively. They’re both elite athletes who have a good feel for the game at such a young age.
Neither have the upside on both ends that Fultz does.
Offense
Offensively Fultz’ size and length give him an important scoring advantage. Standing 6’4″, Fultz can rise up and shoot over the defense. He also has a height advantage over smaller guards that helps him see the floor better.
Those basic physical tools already give him an edge over most point guards. When put together with solid passing and shooting skills, it creates an offensive package that’s hard to match.
Take this shot that Fultz hit against Long Beach State. He called for the ball at the top of the key and converted on a contested mid-range shot.
That’s a tough shot for any guard without a size advantage to hit. Fultz made it look easy, and those are the kinds of looks that NBA scouts want to see him make.
He can also go out beyond the arc and hit on 3-point attempts with similar success given the full extension on his shot.
Not only is he comfortable converting on open and contested jumpers, but he’s arguably better at creating inside.
Take this floater of his along the baseline. Notice the same high release and steady body control as his jump shot. Few guards can hit that with confidence like Fultz.
His size and length combined with his crafty footwork for a guard create multiple problems inside. Fultz has the quickness to get to an open spot on the floor and the length to finish over the defense.
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He has a variety of moves he can go to in the lane, as he moves his feet incredibly well in the halfcourt. Fultz’ smooth dribble-drive game sets not only himself up but also his teammates.
Great passing instincts are hard to come by but Fultz has great balance between taking shots himself and finding others. He generally doesn’t wait too long to make a decision with the ball. Fultz keeps the turnovers low giving the offense more opportunities to execute.
Considering he uses 26.2 percent of his team’s possessions on offense, 3.0 turnovers a game isn’t a bad number for a guard who still averages 6.7 assists per game as a freshman.
Washington coach Lorenzo Romar‘s offense heavily focuses on guard play, so Fultz always has the ball in his hands to make plays.
That’s both a good and bad thing for a young point guard. It gives Fultz chances to learn, but also leaves plenty of room for trial and error.
The fact that Fultz is talented enough to handle such responsibility (23.0 points per game on a .553/.435/.694 slash line) negates most of that concern, however.
Defense
Fultz has plenty of offensive ability, but he’s also a leader on defense.
His length and instincts playing the passing lanes create tons of problems for the opposing offense. He’s averaging 2.2 steals per game in six contests for the Huskies. Fultz even got five steals in his most recent outing on Saturday against TCU.
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He moves his feet well and stays in front of his man in one-on-one situations. While younger players always have room to improve in terms of helping on defense and switching properly, Fultz makes up for those minor flaws with ball denial and excellent pass deflection.
Fultz could be special in the NBA provided he continues to play hard. Great defense in terms of forcing turnovers creates easy looks in transition, and that’s one of the easiest ways for less experienced players to get involved early in their careers.
The speed of the shot clock and overall pace of the professional game is a lot for someone Fultz’ age to adjust to. Any offense he can create out of his defense will help him tremendously as he transitions.
Bottom Line
Fultz’ raw numbers are nothing to sneeze at this early in the season. Washington hasn’t played as tough of competition as it’ll face night after night in the Pac-12.
But teams and players look for positive things to build on at the start of the year.
With a 36.29 PER to start the season per ESPN.com, Fultz has lived up to the hype so far.
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The question is, can he consistently put it all together and shine on the big stages he’ll undoubtedly have in front of him?