Philadelphia 76ers select Fultz with number one overall pick

The Philadelphia 76ers selected point guard Markelle Fultz with the top pick in the 2017 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday.

Having previously worked out a trade with the Boston Celtics that moved the 76ers from the number three pick up to number one, it was clear the franchise coveted Fultz’s size and athleticism to run their offense.

Fultz, who spent just one season at Washington, averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

He has the size and quickness to help Philadelphia rise out of the NBA depths they have been mired in for years.

Point guard was the 76ers’ greatest need – even though there was some talk Ben Simmons would be used in that spot next year.

It seemed unlikely Philadelphia would get Fultz or Lonzo Ball at number three, so they made the right call to move up a couple spots.