https://phillyfrontoffice.net/blog/2019/02/10/fultzs-mother-76ers/ Source: Markelle Fultz’s mother removed her son from the Philadelphia 76ers This past Thursday, the 76ers finalized a trade with the Magic, sending Markelle Fultz to Orlando for Jonathon Simmons, a protected first, and a high second round draft pick. Fultz, the former #1 overall pick, is no longer a member of the Sixers. A league source informed us that the phone call which formally sent Fultz packing was not the conversation that truly ended Markelle’s tenure in Philly. The beginning of the end stemmed from a particular phone conversation orchestrated by his mother Ebony, according to the source. The 76ers declined to comment on this particular event, but it has been well documented and relayed to us by the team that they did everything in their power to help Fultz in the following days and weeks. It has also been documented that Ebony has played a major role in the life and even career of her son. According to the Washington Post, “close associates said Ebony still goes to great lengths to shield him. During Fultz’s first season in Philadelphia, Ebony had cameras installed inside his New Jersey home, according to several people familiar with the setup who described the indoor surveillance as unusual. The cameras have since been removed. Multiple people said Ebony has asked some who have dealt with Fultz to sign nondisclosure agreements.” At least Leonard was good.
I vaguely remember hearing that his mother had a prominent role in the 76ers organization. Sounds like nepotism.....which pretty much any parent would do if they had the ability.
I don't blame her. He was done with that team. Though installing cameras in the home of her son to observe him, if true, sounds scary and crazy.
These people need to let these boys be their own men. Stop sheltering them from real life obstacles or they'll never learn how to fend for themselves when real world sh** hits them in other relationships i.e. wives, children, agents, other colleagues, etc.
It is 50/50 that he breaks out at this point. He has a tremendous amount of talent and could easily be a top 10 player in this league. He has a real strong natural ability to draw contact and still score, he can rebound very well and excel is transition and the half court. It was a calculated but worth trade by the Magic IF they have the support in place to let him grow.
I don't think that the ridicule, online bullying and pressure that he has been in, is just "real life obstacles" the average youth is facing right as they turn adults. He was DONE with this team. It was time for both sides to move on. It's not like Kawhi when he was established in a great situation suddendly stop talking to his teammates and team and refusing to play.
If you rationalize that in your mind it's right for you to add hidden surveillance in your son's home that, in my mind, tells me that you have no faith in your son and how he handles himself behind closed doors with no "authority figures" around. That sounds like something I would do to my son when he becomes a teenager and can make his way back from school on his own. This isn't something you do for a grown ass person that is making millions in the NBA.
ohh I definitely do not rationalise spying on your son. In fact she probably needs to see a psychiatrist. And I don't even understand this when it to comes to teenagers as you said. It is crazy no matter if you do it to your 15 year old child or your 18 year old child. I meant I don't blame her for intervening and asking him to be moved.
But ultimately it's been his lack of health that has kept him from contributing to the Sixers. All-in-all he may end up being in a better situation with the younger Orlando Magic team. The biggest thing he'll need to work on is that broken jumpshot.
Agree with the talent assessment, but I would put his odds of breaking out at 1-to-10 at best. The 76ers wouldn't trade him for peanuts if they thought he had 50/50 chance of becoming an impactful player.
