PHILADELPHIA (94 WIP) -- After what has been close to two weeks of tests with various doctors, it appears Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz has an answer as to why he has struggled to shoot over the last year-and-a-half.
Raymond Brothers, Fultz's agent, released the following statement through ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowksi: “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 limiting Markelle’s ability to shoot a basketball. TOS is treatable by physical therapy."
The Sixers confirmed the news through a press release, stating that Fultz has been through a "series of consultations with specialists across several disciplines." The team would only say that Fultz is out indefinitely and will begin physical therapy immediately.
In theory, this means Fultz finally has the correct diagnosis and a gameplan to return to being able to shoot a basketball. Fultz's inability to shoot consistently, and various shooting forms, has been one of the biggest mysteries in Philadelphia sports history. It has also been one of the major stories in the NBA since he was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Although the chances of Fultz ever turning into a contributing member of the Sixers seem extremely thin, there is still an outside chance the team could trade him for something of value as opposed to just releasing him this offseason.
But chances are this diagnosis is far from the end of the drama surrounding what is quickly becoming one of the biggest busts of all time.