Steve Clifford, Magic Teammates Comment on Markelle Fultz After 1st Practice

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz's fresh start has started positively, with head coach Steve Clifford and a few teammates offering praise after his first practice Tuesday.

"He did a good job," Clifford told reporters (h/t Mike Cali of Orlando Pinstriped Post). "His defense was very good. He had a lot of good possessions. He's hard to keep out of the paint. He's so good with the ball. He doesn't need a lot of room. And he's very, very clever. ... The more you watch him, he knows basketball. He has high IQ."

The Magic acquired Fultz from the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 7.

The first overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft has played just 33 regular-season games because of a scapular muscle imbalance and thoracic outlet syndrome. He's posted 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 20.6 minutes per contest.

Fultz didn't take the court for Orlando last season as he recovered from his shoulder injury, but he's made big strides toward a return, telling Jake Chapman of Magic Radio on Wednesday that his shoulder feels "100 percent different."

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac and center Nikola Vucevic also weighed in (h/t Cali).

"I thought he looked fantastic," Isaac said. "Got a couple of pull-up jumpers to go. But just outside of that I think his ability to get into the lane, his ability to just be crafty and already able to manipulate the offense in the way that he wants and when he is just learning it. I definitely saw that, and I enjoyed being on his team.

"For somebody so big, he plays really loose and he flows, and his ball handling is really decent."

Fultz's shot will be worth watching this season after his struggles over the last two seasons.

Injuries appeared to have significantly affected Fultz's form: The ex-Washington star made only 41.4 percent of his field goals and 53.4 percent of his free throws. He also took just 15 three-pointers, making four.

But Tuesday, Fultz looked more like the player who dominated in his one season in college, wherein he averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.

"He played very well," Vucevic said. "He looked comfortable out there. He was pushing the ball, getting into the paint, scoring. Hit a couple of mid-range jumpers. Making plays. He's a guy that can really make plays for himself and others. Big body. Get to the hoop. He has a size advantage over many guards. He can definitely be great for us."

Fultz has shown glimpses of his potential, like when he registered a 13-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in 25 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks to close the 2017-18 regular season.

Signs point to improvement, and we may get a look at him shortly. Per Josh Robbins of The Athletic, Fultz said his goal is to play in the Magic's preseason-opening game against the San Antonio Spurs at 8:30 p.m. ET Saturday.