Magic PG Markelle Fultz Has 'High Ceiling' Going Into Season

Markelle Fultz averaged career-highs in points (13.9), assists (5.7) and rebounds (3.9) for the Orlando Magic last season.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 23, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic point guard Markelle Fultz is hoping to keep the momentum going after his best NBA season to date.

Fultz, 25, averaged career-highs in points (13.9), assists (5.7) and rebounds (3.9), all while remaining healthy and leading the Magic to a .500 record when he was on the court. His ability to play alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner has made him a key piece to the Magic's future.

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz against the Philadelphia 76ers. — Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz against the Philadelphia 76ers / USA Today Sports

"I think Markelle’s ability to continue to lead because he’s such a selfless point guard. He wants to share and enjoys seeing the success of his teammates," Mosley said on the HoopsHype Podcast. "That’s what we’re going to ask more of him. Defensively, being able to guard the ball because his level of physicality is up there. I think he’s going to set the tone in a lot of ways for us. He has such a high ceiling of where he can go because of how he’s been working this summer."

Fultz has stayed healthy during the summer as he looks towards an extension. He becomes an unrestricted free agent at season's end, but he could look to sign a deal before the season starts. However, if he doesn't, he'll play on a contract year looking to prove himself to earn every penny coming his way.

If Fultz can continue building on his game with the Magic this season and keep his starting point guard role from rookie point guard Anthony Black who Orlando invested a top-six pick in, he may be able to remove any remaining skepticism surrounding him.

Published Sep 23, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.