CJ Fulton will return to the United States in September to link up with NBA side the Minnesota Timberwolves for their pre-season.
The former Belfast Star player debuted for the Timberwolves in the NBA Summer League, where he played four minutes intheir 89-85 winagainst the Phoenix Suns last month.
The appearance made him the third Irish-born player to take to the court at the highest level in the United States after Pat Burke and Susan Moran.
The 23-year-old then played 17 minutes against the Houston Rockets, scoring two points with two assists and two steals, and after impressing in Las Vegas he has been invited back to train with the squad.
Fulton has not signed a deal with the NBA franchise, but will now get the opportunity to prepare for the season with the franchise’s full roster, including All Star Anthony Edwards.
The back-to-back Western Conference finalists are scheduled to play six exhibition games, including hosting Guangzhou Loong Lions of China, before their regular-season opener against the Denver Nuggets on 27 October.
Fulton initially caught the attention of the Timberwolves with his displays in the college game where he represented Lafayette and the Charleston Cougars, averaging 7.8 points and 6.5 assists per game for the latter during his senior year.
He missed out on selection in the NBA draft in June but can still realise his dream of appearing in the league.
Although the G-League – the NBA’s team-affiliated development league – or a professional career in Europe remain options for the former St Malachy’s College pupil, securing a place on an NBA roster is still the primary goal.
