One of the top recruits in the Class of 2016 made his college announcement while at the Elite 24 three-point and slam dunk contest on Friday night in Brooklyn. Markell Fultz, a 6-5 shooting guard at DMV powerhouse DeMatha Catholic High School, came into the night having only used three of his five official visits (Arizona, Louisville and Washington being the most recent).
In the end, Fultz decided he no longer needed to go on his last two remaining visits after hanging with the Huskies.
More from the Washington Post:
DeMatha guard Markelle Fultz committed to play basketball at the University of Washington on Friday, punctuating a whirlwind recruitment for an athlete who, not too long ago, was an unranked sophomore on the junior varsity team.
The senior announced his choice during ESPNU’s live telecast of the Under Armour Elite 24 slam dunk and three-point contests. Fultz, who will compete in Saturday’s all-star game, fielded offers from Arizona, Kentucky, North Carolina and nearly 30 other high-level programs before choosing the Huskies.
Fultz described his relationship with Washington Coach Lorenzo Romar as “unbelievable” and offered advice to recruits who are experiencing the process he just completed.
“Take your time,” Fultz said during the telecast. “Enjoy the process… and when you feel comfortable go with your decision.”
Around this time last year, just before Fultz’s meteoric rise up the recruit ranks, Washington was the first high-major college to extend an offer. The gesture likely resonated with Fultz when making his decision and helped fuel his breakout junior season, when he averaged a team-high 16.6 points for top-ranked DeMatha while earning first-team All-Met and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors.
