Markelle Fultz was diagnosed with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome in 2018, according to ESPN, and had to miss three to six weeks of rehabilitation.
The 2017 first-overall pick is still a free agent as of 2024, and the Orlando Magic are not interested in giving him a new deal.
The fact that the majority of league clubs aren’t very interested in signing Fultz makes it even more depressing.
Highlights
- Injuries sustained by Fultz over his career, including TOS, are said to have contributed to his downfall from a great NBA career.
- Fultz discloses that he experienced shoulder soreness during his rookie season, which he kept to himself and didn’t disclose to anyone.
- Even if supporters think Flutz will sign a contract and return to the league, there aren’t many opportunities for it to happen.
Markelle Fultz most recently played for the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Orlando Magic.
He played collegiate basketball for the Washington Huskies before being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Before moving to the Magic in 2019, he started his NBA career with the 76ers.
Many people view him as a draft flop because he was unable to transfer his offensive skills from college to the NBA because of a shoulder condition known as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
There was a lot of excitement surrounding Markelle Fultz’s impending entrance in the NBA in 2017.
On draft night, Fultz was the obvious No. 1 overall pick for the Philadelphia 76ers, despite Lonzo Ball’s impressive play at UCLA, where he ended up going No. 2.
Fans are curious about what happened to the former No. 1 overall pick, who is a free agent in 2024.
Looking back on his career, which was full of ups and downs, there may be a number of reasons why he is where he is today.
Markelle Fultz Was Diagnosed With Thoracic Outlet Syndrome In 2018
Playing for the Philadelphia 76ers at the time, Markelle Fultz missed six weeks of action while he recovered from a diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
A group of symptoms caused by neurovascular compression at the thoracic outlet is known as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
The term “neurovascular” refers to the structures that may be affected, including both nerve (neuro) and artery/vein (vascular).
Dealing with the TOS was challenging, but he overcame it after a difficult period. The difficulty of it still bothered him even after he recovered.
Markelle Fultz’s story is a great example for all younger players on fighting through adversity, having the right mentality, ignoring critics and perseverance. His testimony is something every young athlete should hear. Powerful interview #TheRematch https://t.co/25vHkql1Rj pic.twitter.com/LpHu9jQxfG
— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) November 27, 2021
Fultz’s injuries, including TOS, are believed to have contributed to his downfall from a great NBA career.
Fultz endured two turbulent years of false information from fans and the media, including conspiracy theories, baseless rumors, criticism, and online jokes, during which time he was called a bust.
In reality, however, the opposite occurred. He was suffering from an ailment that is seldom (or almost ever) observed in basketball players, and it is also impossible to detect with an MRI.
Despite everything, he was still attempting to overcome the discomfort since he loved playing basketball, something he regrets doing.
In an interview with The Rematch, Fultz discusses his difficulties playing basketball due to his illness.
Actually, my shoulder started hurting before training camp [in my rookie year]. But I just thought it was from how much work I was putting in, from me shooting so much that my shoulder was just sore. So I tried to work through it. I’m going in the gym, shooting thousands of shots, trying to shoot through it. And the whole time, I just continued to make it worse. But again, the mindset that I had, I’m just trying to grind. I’m trying to continue to work through these issues, and not knowing that I’m making it worse. Again, I’m just kind of being young and being selfish, I would call it, in a sense, not understanding my body. And I think that was a big part of it. And again, once I communicated, I started to get the help that I needed. And I started to work and rehab, and it started to get better
Via The Rematch
Fultz discloses that he experienced shoulder soreness during his rookie season, which he kept to himself and didn’t disclose to anyone.
Fultz attempted to play through the injury with Philadelphia after receiving an incorrect diagnosis at first.
The Outlook For Markelle Fultz’s Long-Term Health And Career
Markelle Fultz has not yet joined the league and will be a free agent in 2024. The Orlando Magic are not interested in offering him a new deal.
Even if supporters think Flutz will sign a contract and return to the league, there aren’t many opportunities for it to happen.
When you notice that most clubs in the NBA don’t need a player like Fultz, it is evident that he might not play again.
Speaking about his health, he seems to have fully recovered and shows no signs of recent ailments or injuries.
Fans are anxiously anticipating Fultz’s return to the court in the absence of any other information regarding his health or comeback.
Additional Information
- Fultz, the youngest of two children, was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on May 29, 1998. After his father left the household, he was greatly dependent on his mother, Ebony.
- He was ranked as a five-star recruit by the end of his senior year. Placing him in the top 10 in the 2016 class.
- Fultz scored a career-high 28 points and pulled out four steals in a 113-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on March 18, 2023.
