Markelle Fultz, as expected, has declared for the 2017 NBA draft. The possible No. 1 pick out of Washington announced his intention to leave school after his freshman season.
Markelle Fultz officially declares for the 2017 NBA draft
The projected No. 1 pick left no doubt about his future intentions.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
“After sitting down with my mom and my coaching staff, I made a decision to enter the NBA draft,” Fultz said. “Although the season hasn’t gone as planned, it’s truly been a blessing to be here. I learned plenty of life lessons on and off the court, especially from coach [Lorenzo] Romar and the coaching staff. I’m always going to be a Husky for life. Go Dawgs.”
Fultz, currently projected to be the No. 1 pick according to Draft Express, averaged 23.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. But despite Fultz’s exploits, the Huskies finished with a 9-22 record and were 2-16 in Pac-12 play. Their season ended with a 78-73 loss to USC in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament on Wednesday.
If Fultz is selected No. 1 overall, it will be the second year in a row that the top selection in the draft did not play in the NCAA tournament. Ben Simmons’ LSU team finished 19-14 and declined an invitation to participate in any postseason tournaments once it became clear they would not qualify for the NCAA tournament.
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