Sixers fans are yearning to see what Victor Oladipo has witnessed for years: Markelle Fultz play basketball.
The Pacers All-Star guard began watching Fultz when the Sixers rookie was a freshman at Oladipo's alma mater, DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, MD.
Oladipo, six years Fultz's senior, related to Fultz in how he "kind of came out of nowhere." He observed Fultz progress from fighting to make the varsity team to becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
"He has all the talent in the world," Oladipo said Tuesday before the Pacers' 101-98 win over the Sixers. "Once he gets to a 100 percent and healthy, he's going to be a problem."
That display of talent has been put on hold as Fultz deals with a right shoulder injury, one that has hindered him from looking like that rising star Oladipo had seen. Fultz has missed all but four games his rookie year, averaging 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. There still is no definitive decision on whether or not he will play again this season.
Oladipo offered a glimpse into what the basketball world can expect when Fultz is back to his old self.
"[I know] how versatile he is," Oladipo said. "He can score the ball. He can get people involved. He does a great job in transition of getting in the open floor and being creative. The sky's the limit when he gets healthy."
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Fultz has veteran go-tos on the Sixers, and one in Oladipo as well. Back in 2016, Fultz was quoted as saying, "I always looked up to Victor Oladipo." Oladipo said he will be there for the 19-year-old Fultz any time he wants advice or help.
"Our high school is a cult," Oladipo said. "It's more than just a high school. It's a brotherhood. So I look at him as my little brother."
