Fulton set for more focus on Ireland return

CJ Fulton says he expects “a little more pressure and attention from me” when he makes his first Ireland appearance in over two years in Friday’s FIBA ​​EuroBasket 2029 pre-qualifier against Azerbaijan (19:45 GMT).

It’s been a whirlwind year for the 23-year-old after signing with the NBA team Minnesota Timberwolves.

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The Belfast native is now focused on helping Ireland progress through European Championship qualifying following defeats to Luxembourg and North Macedonia.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost three years since I last played in the green jersey, but [I’m] I’m looking forward to it,” Fulton told BBC Sport NI’s Thomas Kane.

“Very important matches, which must be won if we want to have a chance of qualifying for the EuroBasket.

“I’m very excited to be back.”

The first qualifying round for the EuroBasket consists of three groups with the winners of each and the best-ranked runner-up team advancing to the second round.

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Then, those teams will be joined by eight more teams from the 2027 FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers in the second qualifying round.

“I think I can definitely come back and help the team,” Fulton added.

“The European style of basketball is what I grew up with, I’ve been out of it for a while, but I’m excited to try to get back to that style of basketball.

“We have a lot of talented kids on the roster.”

Fulton signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves after playing two games in the summer league for the team, and was then traded to the Iowa Wolves who are the Timberwolves’ reserves.

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Since playing for the Wolves, he has played in the team’s NBA-affiliated development division in the G-League.

Now, Fulton returns home after missing Ireland’s first two qualifying matches due to university commitments and wants to “give back” to the national team.

“Three years ago, I was probably still a young guy, still emerging and trying to make a name for myself, whereas I’m a little more established,” he added.

“With everything that’s happened in the last few months, there’s probably going to be a little more pressure and attention on me, but there’s a lot of good players on the roster, so I think it’s just about me coming back and trying to help the team win.

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“I think it’s really important to try to help as much as we can, help grow the game here, give back to the kids.”

G-League ‘an adjustment’

After the two international matches, the former St Malachy’s College pupil will return to Iowa as Wolves push to reach the play-offs.

The team currently sits in eighth place in the G League Western Conference but has lost its last four games.

“The G League is kind of a unique trade, you know, guys going to the NBA. So it’s been an adjustment, just trying to embrace all the changes that happen rather than knowing what’s happening every day,” Fulton said.

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“It was a great experience. There are a lot of talented players in the league and a lot of guys who are on the bubble to make that NBA, just aren’t quite there yet, or guys who played in the NBA and are trying to get back.

“There’s definitely a lot of talent that I’m up against, and I think that’s only going to help me in the long run.”