Irish Eyes on Vegas: CJ Fulton makes history in NBA Summer League
It's fitting that it's CJ who's made the breakthrough. His family's history in Irish basketball is one of trailblazing achievement, and his rise continues that tradition.
While the domestic story of Irish basketball has long been rooted in Cork and the glory days of the 1980s, much of the sport's international success has come from the Fultons of Belfast.
The Fulton Legacy
CJ's grandfather, Danny Fulton—a Basketball Ireland Hall of Famer—coached the Irish Senior Men's National Team for over a decade, including leading the squad to its first-ever win over continental opposition: Portugal in 1977.
He also coached the U19 team to a historic European Championship qualifier win over Denmark in 1984, where a young Mark Keenan starred at point guard.
CJ's father, Adrian Fulton, has continued that legacy both on the court and on the sidelines. He was a key point guard on the team that won Ireland's first gold medal at senior level at the 1994 FIBA Promotions Cup (now the FIBA Small Countries Championship), and he was part of the coaching staff when Ireland captured gold again in 2021.
His playing days coincided with one of Irish basketball's brightest eras—when the national programme built strong connections with Irish America, blending homegrown talent with U.S.-born players eligible to represent Ireland.
22 years ago this month, Adrian stood on court in New York at the World University Games, facing off against the United States.
That moment—when Irish-American fathers in the crowd were moved to tears seeing their sons play for Ireland—now has a parallel: Adrian will be in the stands in Las Vegas, this time as a proud father watching CJ forge his own path.
Ireland's NBA Connection
Ireland's direct links to the NBA are few. Pat Burke remains the only Irish-born player to appear in the league.
Marty Conlon and Cal Bowdler, both of Irish descent, had NBA careers and represented the Irish National Team, with Conlon in particular carving out a solid stint in the league.
John O'Donnell, a Cork native who moved to New York at age seven, was drafted in the 10th round of the 1972 NBA Draft, a gesture of recognition more than a real opportunity.
O'Donnell came from the influential Barry family, known for Barry's Tea and their political legacy, including former Tánaiste Peter Barry. His uncle, John Kerry O'Donnell, is also well known in sporting lore having helped preserve Gaelic Park in New York in the late 1930s when the GAA couldn't afford to hold onto it.
O'Donnell's draft selection was a thank-you from his college coach, Dean Smith of North Carolina (Michael Jordan's college coach), but his professional career was ultimately spent in Europe.
Against that backdrop, CJ Fulton's appearance in the Summer League is truly groundbreaking.
The Opportunity in Las Vegas
CJ isn't just making up the numbers. After the NBA Draft, he was quickly identified by the Timberwolves as a Summer League target.
Kevin Hanson, who's coaching the Summer League squad, has already highlighted CJ as the standout performer from Day 1 of their mini-camp ahead of Vegas, calling him a true point guard.
Andrew Dukowitz, a Timberwolves beat writer with Zone Coverage, sees a clear alignment between CJ and Minnesota's head coach, Chris Finch: 'He seems like a Finch guy. Finch loves players that can control the pace and have a great feel for the game. It makes a lot of sense that he's here—he checks a lot of boxes for what the Wolves look for.'
The fit does feel natural. Finch himself came from an unconventional path—playing Division III college basketball before spending time in the British League with Sheffield, where his coaching journey also began.
Coaches with more traditional U.S. basketball résumés may have overlooked CJ, but Finch's familiarity with the UK and Irish basketball scene could give CJ a genuine chance.
Already this week, CJ has been assigned to guard rising Timberwolves star Rob Dillingham in practice. Dillingham, the 8th overall pick in last year's draft has already played over 40 NBA games and is expected to take a leap forward this season.
A strong Summer League start for Dillingham could actually benefit CJ, as teams often rest proven players early, giving more minutes to those still being evaluated.
CJ has spoken about the importance of "starring in his role"—as a facilitator, not a star scorer. Surrounded by top-tier talent, that role may be exactly where he shines.
What Comes Next?
What happens next is anyone's guess. Whether CJ can play himself into a G-League spot, a two-way contract (NBA teams are allowed 3 players that have time split between their NBA team and a G-League affiliate), or another pro opportunity remains to be seen.
What's already clear, though, is that a new chapter in Irish basketball history is being written.
Twenty-two years after Adrian Fulton stood on court in New York, representing Ireland as proud parents cheered from the stands, the roles have reversed.
Now, it's Adrian's turn to look down from the crowd in Vegas and watch his son blaze a trail few thought possible just months ago.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland hero keen for third Lions test to be unforgettable
Tadhg Furlong is set on making Saturday's third Test against Australia a memorable one, as it will likely be his last appearance for the British and Irish Lions. Although Furlong hasn't completely dismissed the possibility of a fourth tour, he acknowledges that the Accor Stadium showdown is probably the final chapter in his Lions journey, marked by his nine consecutive Test starts. When reminded that he would be 36 years old for the next tour to New Zealand, the Ireland prop responded: "Just about to turn 37. Could you imagine? 'My motivation is obvious. I'm not going to say I won't….I probably won't play for the Lions again. 'The Lions have been very good to me. They've been very good to my career. You want to play well. 'I'm kind of leaving a lot of that emotional stuff behind, without being clinical about it. You want to give the best version of yourself to it. 'Sometimes the last memory is the lasting memory you have in a jersey. I want it to be a good one.' Only seven other players have made nine successive Test starts and Furlong is the second to reach that mark in the professional era, a startling achievement for a tighthead who will return home as a Lions great. Willie John McBride heads the list with 15. 'It wasn't something I overly thought of or knew about. I just wanted to try to get on tour and play rugby and see where it got me,' Furlong said. 'It's class to be up there. When I was young and you think of Lions, you don't see yourself there to be mentioned in the same breath as them – and I probably feel the same way now.' Furlong's first tour was as a 24-year-old to New Zealand in 2017 and his development as a player in the intervening years has been significant. 'The game has changed, definitely. Rugby was so different back then. You're around the corner, you're just working hard and then the game got into one-out carriers and I found my mould there,' he said. 'Then the game changed to more of a pass and options at the line and that changed my game. At the minute it's changed into a hybrid of all of them at the minute. You try to change your game as the game changes.' The series was won with a game to spare following last Saturday's 29-26 victory in Melbourne, posting the first successful tour since the 2013 visit to Australia. 'It's such a hard thing to do and history tells you that. When you play for the Lions, you understand why, in terms of moulding everyone together and trying to get them on the same track, and the schedule and travel,' Furlong said. 'As an achievement, as a team, there's not a massive body of work. You have eight weeks of work to show for it. It's probably one of the more satisfying achievements that I've been a part of.'
The Journal
6 hours ago
- The Journal
Rhasidat Adeleke out of National Championships in Santry due to 'lingering' injury
RHASIDAT ADELEKE HAS said a recurrence of an old injury has ruled her out of the National Track and Field Championships in Santry this weekend. The 22-year-old is seeking to be fully fit for the World Athletics Championship which begin in Tokyo on 13 September. She withdrew from a Diamond League event in Monaco earlier this month. Hey guys, Unfortunately, I won't be competing at the National championships this weekend. I've attended nationals every year since 2021 & there's nothing like competing in-front of a home crowd. (1/2) — Rhasidat Adeleke (@rhasidatadeleke) July 31, 2025 Advertisement 'Unfortunately, I won't be competing at the National championships this weekend,' Adeleke posted on social media. 'I've attended nationals every year since 2021 & there's nothing like competing in front of a home crowd. 'An injury I had earlier this season has transcended into additional lingering setbacks so I'll be supporting from afar. 'I'll hopefully be back to get some Morton magic next year. I'm forever grateful for all the support. Best of luck to everyone racing.' Written by Ronan Early and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The 42
6 hours ago
- The 42
'I probably won't play for the Lions again. I want this to be a good memory'
EVEN THOUGH HE jokes that he'd prefer if Tadhg Furlong wasn't starting for the Lions tomorrow, Joe Schmidt has as much respect for the Wexford man's achievement as anyone else. Starting nine Lions Tests in a row in a magnificent feat, all the more so in a position as demanding as tighthead prop. At the age of 32, Tadhg Furlong is already a great of Irish rugby, even if being a prop means he won't be as regularly mentioned as others in those kinds of discussions. And the Leinster man's status as a Lions legend is now well beyond debate. 'He's such a gifted player and such a good character,' said Wallabies boss Schmidt, who was the Leinster head coach when Furlong joined the province. 'The first time I met him, he came in with his Mum and Dad with Collie McEntee, who was coaching the Leinster academy. I was coaching there, and he got brought into the office and introduced himself. He blocked the sun briefly, and those shoulders haven't got any smaller since. 'He's certainly an impressive young man and a world-class player, so if he wants a day off on Saturday I'd be happy to see that.' Schmidt remembers tough times for Furlong at the start, initially due to injuries and then the kind of teething problems that any young prop faces in professional rugby. Ireland's tour of South Africa in 2016 was 'a baptism of fire' for Furlong at scrum time, recalled Schmidt, but he soon began to thrive and by 2017, he was the Lions' first-choice tighthead. Furlong and Schmidt with Ireland in 2017. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO Schmidt gave Furlong his Ireland debut in 2015 and benefited massively from the Wexford man's 'multi-purpose' ability in the years that followed. 'I'll never forget the deft little offload he gave to Bundee Aki to go through a gap to give CJ Stander a try at Twickenham [in 2018],' said Schmidt. 'Those skills he has with the ball, his ability to carry himself, and he's very good, quite dynamic in the defensive line. 'We were here [in Australia] on tour in 2018 and I remember David Pocock was just about to decide to get over the ball and Tadhg Furlong put him back a couple of metres from the ball. Advertisement 'He's a pretty well-rounded, literally well-rounded, character.' Furlong himself would probably laugh at that last tongue-in-cheek comment from Schmidt. He has always come across as someone with an endearing, self-depracating humour. Not that he's not entirely serious about his craft. Furlong's work ethic and resilience have helped him to get to this point of a huge achievement with the Lions. He is a smart rugby player, someone whose role in the Ireland and Lions leadership groups isn't about shouting and roaring, but more about providing calm messages and contributing to discussions around how the team should play. Not all tighthead props are as tactically aware as Furlong. Even the way he describes how he has had to change with the game across three Lions tours illustrates that. 'Rugby was so different back then,' said Furlong of his first tour in 2017. 'You're around the corner, you're just working hard and then the game kind of got into one-out carriers and I found my mould there. Furlong celebrates the Lions' second Test win. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO 'Then the game changed to more of a pass and options at the line and it kind of changed my game. 'And it's changed in a way to a hybrid of all of them at the minute, I feel. So, you try to change your game as the game changes.' Many people doubted that Furlong would get to this point where he has started all three of the Tests on this tour. That was down to the recurring hamstring and calf issues he had all season, meaning he only played once for Ireland and eight times for Leinster. But Furlong always had faith he would be right for the Lions tour. 'It wasn't a big enough injury to warrant it,' said Furlong. 'It was like, we need to get back and play here, lads, because it's on your calendar. You want it so badly. I think the cruel thing is when you go on one, you just want to go on more. You go on that first one, and you take it all in. 'The second one is kind of like you want to perform and the third one, you just want to appreciate it all because you don't want it to pass you by, you know that kind of way? 'There was a stage this season where we were having conversations with medical staff. It's like, 'What is going on here? We need to nip this stuff in the bud.' They managed to do that, and Furlong has thrived. Lions boss Andy Farrell had faith that the experienced tighthead would deliver on the big occasions. Furlong at the Lions captain's run today. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Furlong has been rooming with Ireland and Leinster team-mate Thomas Clarkson this week as the latter continues to gain valuable experience while remaining on tour with Farrell's men. There's no one better for Clarkson to be learning from. Furlong is still only 32 and he'll hope that this tour is only the start of a period of better luck on the injury front. But he senses that tomorrow's Test will be his final one for the Lions. 'I'm not going to say I won't, I probably won't… I probably won't play for the Lions again. 'It's been very good to me. It's been very good to my career. You want to play well in it. 'I'm kind of leaving a lot of that emotional stuff behind us. Without being clinical about it, you want to give the best version of yourself to it. 'Sometimes the last memory is the lasting memory you have in a jersey. I want it to be a good one.'
