By John Williams, Sports Talk Philly staff
On Friday afternoon, Philadelphia 76ers' General Manager Bryan Colangelo introduced the team's newest draft picks to the media in Camden, NJ. The team selected guard Markelle Fultz (1st overall), PF Anzejs Pasecniks (25th overall), forward Jonah Bolden (36th overall) and forward Mathias Lessort (50th overall) in Thursday night's Entry Draft.
Colangelo didn't wait long to admit how excited he was about the players his staff was able to acquire last night.
Bryan Colangelo: 'There's a significant part of the future here (on this stage).' #Sixers
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) June 23, 2017
And he should feel that way. The Sixers not only got Fultz, the consensus number one pick in the draft who just so happens to fit their roster perfectly but acquired three other players who have received favorable reviews from draft analysts. With the exception of Fultz, the others may not make an impact next year as they could be stashed overseas, but Colangelo said he is open to having discussions with their agents.
The players seem to share the excitement of joining "The Process" too.
#Sixers Markelle Fultz: 'I'm close to family, so there's a little bit of comfort.' Says 'I got some sleep' to celebrate last night
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) June 23, 2017
Pasecniks says he 'still has a smile on my face 10 hours' after being drafted by #Sixers
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) June 23, 2017
Of course the conversation didn't just stay on the topic of the draft picks. Colangelo was asked about Fultz's fit with the other players on the roster, as well as what he can expect to get out of his big three this year.
#Sixers B Colangelo: 'We've got a lot of facilitators. I think Ben and Markelle together is a dynamic backcourt.'
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) June 23, 2017
B Colangelo says Simmos, Embiid & Covington are on course for a full recovery. Doesn't know about minutes restrictions. #Sixers
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) June 23, 2017
B Colangelo: 'Everything we are doing with this roster is designed with a championship in mind. It's about doing it the right way.' #Sixers
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) June 23, 2017
Fultz also said that he will play in both the Utah Summer League and the Las Vegas Summer League, and that he expects to sign his rookie contract by Wednesday so he can participate in the Sixers' rookie camp.