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2017 NBA Draft: Top point guard prospects for the Chicago Bulls

By Carlos Nazario

Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Markelle Fultz, Washington (6-foot-4, 195 pounds)

There aren’t many times when a player on a team that goes 9-22 gets all the accolades Fultz received. He was First Team All-Pac 12 and the All-Freshman team. He averaged an eye-opening 25 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per 40 minutes.

Fultz had an amazing 27.9 Player Efficiency Ratio (PER). That was the highest in the nation and the 12th highest among 18-year-olds in the past 16 years.

Fultz comes right out of central casting for a point guard. In addition to his 6-foot-4 height, he has a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He has the physical tools you want — he has big hands, quick feet, and the explosiveness to get to the rim almost at will.

Fultz had his amazing season playing for a team that had no spacing and had two starting bigs who could not shoot. Imagine playing for a team that can actually run offensive sets. No matter what team he plays for in the pros, the offense will be infinitely better than what he dealt with at Washington.

Fultz can get himself to any spot on the floor and he can create his own shot. Also, he can shoot the ball well. He shot 50.2 percent from inside the arc and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. With his style of play, though, he can improve his shooting percentage. He tends to take tougher than necessary shots at the paint or contested mid-range jumpers. If he can try to keep the circus shots to a minimum, he won’t need to worry about his shooting percentage.

While Ball garners all the attention and his father continues his craziness, Fultz worked himself to the top of the draft. Nearly all mock drafts have him going first. The work continued last week at the Combine. Most of the top ten prospects, including Ball, declined the invitation. Fultz didn’t, even though he was already a guaranteed top-three pick. He could have hurt his stock yet he went, and he impressed. Now he solidified his spot at the top.

Next: Floyd hoping to build on the success of his rookie season

The Bulls really need to explore that deal with the Celtics. Saying goodbye to Butler would hurt, but this deal is a win-win for both teams. The Bulls get to build for the future and the Celtics could get past the Cavaliers. The deal only gets better if Boston gets the top pick.

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