Former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz back in NBA with Raptors after rocky career journey

A former No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft is now on his third NBA franchise in three years. 

Markelle Fultz, who had been picked first overall in the 2017 draft by the 76ers, signed a 10-day contract with the Raptors, hoping for a shot to help the team down the stretch run of the season. 

Sacramento Kings guard Markelle Fultz bringing the ball up court. AP

The Raptors currently sit in fifth in the Eastern Conference and seem to be looking to bolster their depth at the point guard position, with Immanuel Quickley dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. 

Fultz has not played in an NBA game since last season, when he suited up for 21 games with the Kings, for whom he averaged 2.9 points per game, along with one rebound and 1.3 assists. 

The University of Washington product has spent some time this season playing for the Raptors’ G League affiliate, Raptors 905.

He’s averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 assists and 2.2 turnovers in five appearances with the G League team. 

Fultz could be available for the Raptors in the postseason since he was not on an NBA roster after March 1. 

Fultz never panned out into the player he was expected to be coming out of college.  

The 76ers traded the No. 3 pick and another first-round selection in 2017 to move up to the top spot in the draft to take Fultz. 

Markelle Fultz of the Raptors 905 dribbles the ball during the game against the Delaware Blue Coats on March 8, 2026 NBAE via Getty Images

Injuries have followed Fultz since he was picked, and he ended up playing in fewer than 20 games in both of his first two seasons in the NBA. 

He developed into a strong defensive player and ended up playing five seasons in Orlando, with his best being the 2022-23 campaign when he shot 51.4 percent from the field and averaged 14 points.