Fulton’s Surprising Timberwolves Comeback: What It Means for the Season Ahead

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.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. The former Belfast Star player featured for the Timberwolves in the NBA Summer League, where he played four minutes in their 89-85 win against the Phoenix Suns last month.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.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.The 23-year-old missed out on selection in the NBA draft in June but can still realise his dream of appearing in the league.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 and, after impressing in Las Vegas, he has been invited back to train with the squad. CJ Fulton’s journey from Belfast’s courts to the cusp of NBA stardom is nothing short of electrifying. This September, he’s set to return Stateside, aiming to carve out his place with the Minnesota Timberwolves during their pre-season. Remember that brief moment last month in the NBA Summer League? Just four minutes on the hardwood, but it was enough to etch his name as only the third Irish-born player to compete at basketball’s highest level in the U.S. Not bad for a kid who dazzled with the Charleston Cougars and went undrafted in June—yet here he is, getting another shot to dust off his sneakers alongside All-Star Anthony Edwards. No contract signed yet, but the opportunity to prove himself against the league’s best is unmistakably within reach. It’s a crossroads: chase the G-League, Europe, or perhaps—just perhaps—write himself into NBA history. The road ahead is brimming with promise, and trust me, you’ll want to keep an eye on this rising talent. LEARN MORE