Fultz commits to the Huskies following a quick rise to success during his junior season with the Stags.
Featured here is a game package from the Stags’ 2014 season in which Fultz led the squad to victory, “No. 1 DeMatha outlasts No. 11 Gonzaga, 76-58.” (Video by Olin Akisoglu for Synthesis/Koubaroulis LLC / The Washington Post)
August 24, 2015, 4:08 p.m. — Five-star recruit Markelle Fultz of DeMatha Catholic High School capped off his dramatic climb up the recruiting ranks by announcing his commitment to the University of Washington. The combo guard made the news public during ESPNU’s live broadcast of the Under Armour Elite 24 slam dunk and three-point contests this past Friday.
With offers from some of the nation’s top programs, including Arizona, Kentucky and North Carolina, Fultz ultimately sided with the school that was first on the scene, as reported by Brandon Parker of the Washington Post. The Huskies were the first major program to offer Fultz a slot on their roster.
According to 247Sports, Fultz is the fourth-ranked player at his position nationally, and the No. 19 overall player in the class of 2016.
After spending his first two seasons with the Stags on the junior varsity level, Fultz took advantage of his promotion to the varsity team as a junior, becoming the star of the top-ranked team as a legitimate scoring threat. Inspired by not making varsity as a sophomore, he elevated his work ethic and went from a relative unknown to the national spotlight in just one season. He averaged a team-high 16.6 points playing primarily off the ball, earning him first-team All-Met and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors.
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound guard was one of five DeMatha players to be named to the WCAC three All-Conference teams last season, with two more receiving honorable mention honors. DeMatha Head coach, Mike Jones, also took home WCAC Coach of the Year honors.
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In addition to his time with the Stags, Fultz plays AAU ball as a member of the D.C. Blue Devils. His ability to score sets him apart even while competing against other top prospects. He has the versatility to get to the rim and shoot from the outside, but continues to work on his ball handling skills.
DeMatha has a rich history of developing guards into great college players and beyond. Quinn Cook spent three years with the Stags before going on to excel at Duke and just signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Victor Oladipo was also a standout for the Stags before starring at Indiana and is now with the Orlando Magic. Jerian Grant used his DeMatha experience to shine at Notre Dame and is now with the New York Knicks.
Other notable guards who have been through the DeMatha program include Keith Bogans and Joseph Forte, and, going back a little further, Sidney Lowe and Dereck Whittenburg.
Perhaps following in their footsteps, Fultz is already projected to be a lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft if he decides to leave the Huskies after one season.
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