Top NBA rookie picks ready to get to work, prove selves

Top NBA rookie picks ready to get to work, prove selves

Top NBA rookie picks ready to get to work, prove selves
NBA

Top NBA rookie picks ready to get to work, prove selves

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NOW that the National Basketball Association (NBA) Rookie Draft is over and done with and they know where they are heading to, top rookie picks Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and Jayson Tatum expressed their readiness to get to work and show what they are capable of doing on basketball’s biggest stage.

Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, in that order, in the first three picks of the annual draft, all the three incoming NBA freshmen said they are very excited over the situations they are placed in.

Coming off a year of playing at the University of Washington, guard Fultz was selected by the long-struggling Sixers to be its playmaker, playing alongside young talents Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

It something the 6’4” Fultz, touted for his skills that fit well in today’s NBA, sees having a lot of promise.

“I’m happy to be part of the Sixers. It’s unbelievable. I think this process has a high ceiling and I’m looking forward to it,” said Mr. Fultz during a Cisco Telepresence Video Call with international media on draft day last Friday.

“It’s truly a blessing. Now that I know where I am going to I’m fully invested in it. I’m ready to put in my heart and effort to the Sixers program,” he added.

In one year with the Huskies, Mr. Fultz was the top freshman scorer in the country with an average of 23.2 points to go along with 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds.

With the Sixers finishing with a 28-54 record in the just-ended season, 19-year-old Fultz said it is now all about creating the winning habit and mind-set with the team’s other cornerstones.

“Thinking about it really makes me excited, playing with Joel and Ben and the rest of the team. Meshing our talents together and getting that winning mentally for the Sixers’ basketball program,” Mr. Fultz said.

POINT GUARD IN LA LA LAND

For UCLA product Ball, playing for one of the NBA’s marquee ball clubs is a challenge he is all too willing to take on.

Caught the attention of pundits, observers and league officials for the height and tremendous court vision that he brings to the “one” spot, Mr. Ball is looking to turn the “promise” bestowed on him to reality in the pros.

“I’m confident of my game and what I can do. As a point guard I’ll try to be the coach on the floor and be a true leader,” said Mr. Ball, who averaged 14.6 points, six rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.8 steals in one year in UCLA.

To prepare for his arrival, the Lakers traded away former top pick D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets, along with big man Timofey Mozgov, for former All-Star Brook Lopez, leaving much focus on how Mr. Ball, 19, would handle the responsibilities.

“I don’t really believe in pressure. I just love what I do and do what needs to be done. And I’m just going to work hard and try to help the Lakers reach the playoffs. That’s the goal,” said Mr. Ball even as he expressed excitement on the possibility of teaming up with All-Star Paul George in Los Angeles.

Reports have it that Mr. George is getting ready to move out of Indiana and join another team, foremost of which are the Lakers.

Meanwhile, Duke University standout Tatum is angling to fit his skills to a Celtics team that he considers already has a “great core.”

“This is a great opportunity for me to play for a storied team like the Celtics. They already have great team right now and looking forward to fitting in,” said Mr. Tatum, a noted go-to scorer with the Blue Devils in his lone year with numbers of 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds.

“I’m going into the team open-minded, learning and working hard. I haven’t talked to them as far as my role in the team but I’ll find a way to fit in with their great core,” said Mr. Tatum, who has drawn comparisons with New York All-Star Carmelo Anthony for his varied offensive repertoire.

Meanwhile, the NBA officially drops the curtain on an eventful 2016-2017 NBA season today with the first-ever “NBA Awards Show.”

The event recognizes the league’s top individual performers, including the most valuable player, in a glitzy awards show happening in New York City with international rapper Drake hosting.

The 2017 NBA Awards Show will be broadcast live on free TV on S+A at 9 a.m. today.