Magic PG Markelle Fultz 'Best Story in Sports'?

Markelle Fultz is averaging a career-best 14 points and six assists for the Orlando Magic this season.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 25, 2023

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic point guard Markelle Fultz is enjoying the best season of his career.

Many expected Fultz to have some form of success when he was drafted No. 1 in the 2017 NBA Draft, but almost all of those people changed their minds after his struggles and multiple bouts with injuries all over his body.

Now, he looks closer to the player drafted No. 1 than the universally-acclaimed bust, creating one of the quietest and best stories in sports, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

"With no one watching, Fultz fought for his career," ESPN writes. "He is averaging 14 points and 6 assists on 51% shooting, and plays solid multipositional defense when he's dialed in -- including offering bouncy rim protection for his size. He is, improbably, a legitimate starting point guard, and still ascending."

Fultz is turning into a quality starting point guard, but will he be that on the next Magic team that makes the playoffs and becomes a title contender?

There is certainly evidence to suggest that he could. Orlando is 26-27 in games where Fultz plays and 5-16 where he sits. The Magic's recovery from its slow start began once Fultz came back and he's been very good.

With Fultz eligible for a contract extension this summer, Orlando will have to make a decision on how much of an investment it wants to make in its starting point guard. Trust that he'll continue to improve or cash in for a player with a higher ceiling?

The Magic front office will have big decisions to make, but if it continues to ride with Fultz and the former No. 1 pick moves on an upward trajectory, he will continue to become one of the best stories in all of sports.

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Published Mar 25, 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.