Philadelphia 76ers Brett Brown Transform Markelle Fultz Defense

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Jan 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) reacts to a foul call against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Oregon defeated Washington, 83-61. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Fultz capable defender

There is a distinct difference between who didn’t defend much in college versus a player who cannot defend. Markelle Fultz can defend. He has all of the skillsets of a defender. He has the competitive mindset of a defender. And he does not back down from a challenge.

He has amazing quickness and hand speed. The quickness keeps him in the back pocket of guards driving to the basket. Hand speed gives him the deflection and blocks as the shooter shoots. That results in a missed shot.

Defender Fultz

Fultz can defend. Let’s be clear about it. He was not asked to defend at the University of Washington. There, the Huskies defense centered around the paint. Markelle Fultz led the offense. But he showed signs of good defense. In this video, the camera rolls more often when Fultz has the ball. But in the events with Lonzo Ball moving it, Fultz has remarkably fast hands that disrupt the play.

In the end, that is all Brett Brown needs to work with. Keep in mind that Markelle Fultz is a 19 year-old one-and-done young athlete whose basketball best is years in front of him. He is a remarkably mature young athlete, and his fit with the Philadelphia 76ers is obvious and sound.