Markelle Fultz's agent says rookie 'cannot raise up his arms to shoot'
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Markelle Fultz received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder earlier this month, according to Fultz’s agent Raymond Brothers, who spoke with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Brothers says Fultz decided to play through the injury, despite being unable to “raise up his arms to shoot the basketball.” Fultz is reportedly planning to visit a shoulder specialist soon.
“He decided to try and fight through the pain to help the team.,” Brothers told ESPN. “He has a great attitude. We are committed to finding a solution to get Markelle back to 100 percent.”
Fultz has struggled to begin the season with Philadelphia, averaging 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 18.9 minutes. Through four games, Fultz is shooting just 33 percent on field goals (9-for-27), 50 percent on free throws (6-for-12) and he has yet to attempt a 3-point shot.
Brothers believes Fultz’s struggles are tied to the injury.
“From a basketball perspective, it’s been encouraging to see that Markelle can get any shot he wants during the games, but he has been unable to shoot the ball,” Brothers told Wojnarowski.
Fultz was drafted by the 76ers with the No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Washington in June. During his one season in college, Fultz shot 47.6 percent from the floor, 64.9 percent from the free throw line, and 41.3 percent from 3-point.
The Sixers return to the floor against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday (7 ET, NBA League Pass).
