Coming out of UCLA as a sophomore, Russell Westbrook measured in at 6'3'’ and 192 pounds. That is very similar to Fultz who is 195 pounds but is about an inch taller at 6'4'’. This is probably where the comparison came from. Westbrook and Fultz have almost identical frames and they are both insanely athletic.

In his sophomore year at UCLA, this was Westbrook’s stat line:

PPG: 12.7 APG: 4.3 RPG: 3.9 FG%: 49.7 3P%: 33.8

(Image via: Sports Illustrated)

Westbrook is obviously a much better scorer and distributor now that he has blossomed into an NBA superstar, but therein lies my point. Fultz is much farther along than Westbrook was as a basketball player coming out of college.

Westbrook did not start to polish his game until he was 24, where he averaged 23.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds with an effective field goal percentage(eFG) over 48%. Effective field goal percentage is great way to look at shooting because it takes into account both 2-point and 3-point field goals. Westbrook had seasons before he was 24 where he averaged over 20 points, but he did it with his raw capabilities. While already 24 years-old he had the highest eFG% of his career up to that point, so it proves that his game was more put together.

Here are Markelle Fultz’s stats so far this season:

PPG: 22.1 APG: 6.4 RPG: 5.9 FG%: 49.8 3P%: 43.5

Already at 18 years old, Fultz has displayed a very polished offensive game. He has an eFG of 55.3%, which is far better than any rate Westbrook has put up throughout his career. Fultz has a much better shooting stroke than Westbrook does, shown by a near 10% difference in three point percentages between the two’s college seasons.

He also has advanced play-making skills. Averaging 6 assists with the talent deprived roster Fultz is on at Washington is extremely impressive when you consider Westbrook averaged only 4 assists with Kevin Love on his team. When Fultz is 24, I would expect him to put up much better numbers than Westbrook’s 24.2/7.4/5.2 24 year old season.