Irish Eyes on Vegas: CJ Fulton makes history in NBA Summer League
HISTORY MAKER: Ireland international CJ Fulton will make history in Las Vegas on Thursday. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
CJ Fulton will make history this Thursday as the first Irish-developed player to compete in the NBA Summer League, suiting up for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Las Vegas. Tip-off is at 8:30pm, live on ESPN2 and the NBA App.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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