It seems pretty likely that Markelle Fultz doesn’t trust The Process.
After struggling last season before missing time with a shoulder injury, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft returned from his rookie season healthy and ready to contribute for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Or so he thought.
Fultz struggled again to start the year – most notably with his shot – and was shut down again so doctors could figure out what was wrong.
This week, the team announced Fultz had been diagnosed with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and will require physical therapy immediately. He is out indefinitely.
#Sixers pic.twitter.com/e2kk6W9ubv
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 4, 2018
The syndrome – which involves compression or irritation in the area between the lower neck and upper chest – likely has affected Fultz’s ability to shoot a basketball.
Agent Raymond Brothers: “Markelle (Fultz) has been diagnosed with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, (TOS), a physical injury.
TOS affects nerves between the neck and shoulder resulting in abnormal functional movement and range of motion, thus severely shoot a basketball…”— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 4, 2018
Fultz hasn’t played since November 19 and is only averaging 8.2 points per game on 41.9 percent shooting.
The 76ers medical staff had previously concluded there was nothing wrong with the 20-year-old so he likely won’t have much love left for Philadelphia’s team doctors.
So either the #Sixers and their crack medical staff have been unable to identify a physical injury in the No. 1 pick in the draft–and, in turn, forced him to play through pain and embarrassment–or this diagnosis is nonsense on stilts. https://t.co/MbUayoGNMC
— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielski) December 4, 2018
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