Markelle Fultz knows that he’s got plenty of competition from his fellow point guards in this year’s draft.
Most mock drafts have three point guards among the top five picks, while as much as half of the top 10 is filled by that same position.
But Fultz, who is projected by most to be the top pick, expressed confidence in his standing after working out for the Lakers on Thursday.
“I believe I fill in every box on both sides of the floor,” Fultz said. “I think that’s what the difference is.”
Fultz said that it was a “family decision” to come to El Segundo and work out for the Lakers with exactly one week left until draft day.
He wants to be the first overall pick, but said he would also embrace going to the Lakers, who own the second selection.
“I would like to go one, but wherever I land is where I go,” Fultz said.
The Third Team All-American went through an individual workout for the Lakers. Afterward, he had plans to go to lunch with the front office brass and check out the team’s new practice facility that is being built a few minutes away.
He said the workout was more casual than when he first met Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka at the NBA Draft Combine in May.
“They don’t got on suits and stuff, so they’re a little more relaxed,” Fultz smiled. “Then I’m in my home (the gym), where I love to play at. So that’s even better with me not being all dressed up, too. Just me being out here, being myself.”
Fultz said that the Lakers wanted to see how he handled the screen-and-roll on both sides of the ball. He also relayed that they evaluated his 3-point shot and that he felt he showed off proper mechanics.
The 19-year-old was an offensive dynamo at Washington, scoring the nation’s sixth-most points (23.2), while also averaging 5.9 assists.
With his size — 6-foot-4, 195 pounds — and ability to score at all three levels, Fultz aims to translate that firepower to the next level.
Fultz has confidence that his skill set will serve him well against the class’ other point guards, including UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, whom he has been compared to since they both entered the Pac-12 this year.
While Ball’s Bruins won the only matchup between the two in college, Fultz is ready to continue their clashes in the NBA.
“I’m a competitor, so anybody that’s in front of me I’m gonna try to take them out,” Fultz said. “Lonzo’s a great guard and we’re both competing for the same position. So just stepping out on the court, I’m gonna try to beat him in everything I do. If that’s tying my shoe faster, anything — it really doesn’t matter.”