The Philadelphia 76ers’ are apparently not happy with the way Markelle Fultz’s agent Raymond Brothers handled Tuesday’s announcement that the point guard has thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
According to sources, Brothers told ESPN before the 76ers were even notified. Here is what ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had to say when he first tweeted the news on Tuesday afternoon:
“Markelle has been diagnosed with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, a physical injury,” Brothers said. “TOS affects nerves between the neck and shoulder resulting in abnormal functional movement and range of motion, thus severely limiting Markelle’s ability to shoot a basketball. TOS is treatable by physical therapy.”
“People were saying it was a mental problem and it is not,” Brothers added, per Wojnarowski. “There’s no way you’re the No. 1 pick in the world and all of a sudden you aren’t able to consistently raise your arms to shoot. … Something is physically wrong. Now we have the answer to that problem.”
The Sixers confirmed the TOS diagnosis and stated that “further updates will be provided as appropriate.”
Fultz had been consulting specialists since November 20th for recurring shoulder issues. Now that he has been diagnosed with TOS, the 76ers are optimistic that he could return to action within three-to-six weeks, as TOS is treatable with physical therapy.
Meanwhile, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Fultz is no longer in the 76ers’ long-term plans and they considered trading him, but for now everything is on hold until Fultz finishes his rehab and returns to the court.
