- Slug: Sports-ASU Fultz, 470
By MARK HARRIS
Cronkite News
TEMPE — A potential NBA star will be at work at Wells Fargo Arena tonight at 9 when the Arizona State Sun Devils host the Washington Huskies.
Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, it’s the visiting squad with the potential big-time pro: 6-foot-4 freshman point guard Markelle Fultz, who is the widely predicted No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
“He’s a complete guard,” ASU coach Bobby Hurley said after Tuesday’s practice. “Great size, very fluid with the ball, great decision making. He’s like a lot of high-level point guards that see plays develop before a lot of people see them. He has the ability to score and hurt you with his vision and his passing ability.”
Fultz has a 6-foot-10 wingspan that makes him even more attractive to NBA teams.
“He’s having a great individual season, putting up great numbers, and even his defense, his shot blocks,” Hurley said. “Just a high-end player.”
Fultz this season has averaged 23 points per game along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
He’s a natural ball handler and an efficient scorer. His shooting skills need some work, but that’s to be expected with any player of his age (18).
The national media thinks Fultz is the real deal as well. Jonathan Tjarks of the Ringer wrote a story headlined “Markelle Fultz Is Your Dream Point Guard Prospect Come to Life.” Bleacher Report’s Scott Phillips compared Fultz to former NBA All-Star Brandon Roy.
Despite Fultz’s excellence, Washington is 9-10 overall, 2-5 in the Pac-12.
“I know their record is not as good as it should be, they got a pro, Markelle, running the point, we’ve got to come ready to play,” Sun Devil guard Shannon Evans said.
Fultz has scored at least 30 points in each of his last three games, including a career-high 37 against Colorado — without a three-pointer.
The Sun Devils appear to be a very favorable matchup for Fultz. According to kenpom.com, the Sun Devils have the worst defensive efficiency in the Pac-12. ASU has given up at least 80 points in all but one of its seven Pac-12 games.
When the Sun Devils faced off against probable lottery pick Lonzo Ball, he led UCLA to a 102-80 victory. Ball took only five shots, but he had seven rebounds and 12 assists.
Malik Monk took a more direct approach this season against ASU: He scored 23 points in a rout for Kentucky.
Clearly the Sun Devils have not performed well against future high draft picks. Evans thinks they have only one chance to contain Fultz: “Endless effort. Trying to take him out of his game, play hard, pick him up.
“There’s nothing you can really do to a guy like that who’s already a pro — you just got to play hard.”
Cronkite News’ Ryan Clarke contributed to this article.