Fultz: Ball 'just motivated me to work harder' by claiming he's better

The rivalry between Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball is beginning to heat up.

The former Huskies guard has taken exception to Ball's recent comments claiming he's better than Fultz, and plans to use the slight as motivation going forward.

"I have a lot of respect for him, and he's supposed to say that. Anyone that's your competitor is going to think that they're better," Fultz said in an interview with SI Now. "To me, it was just funny, he just motivated me to work harder and be sure I put myself further and further in front."

Both players are projected to be top-three selections in this year's draft, with Fultz considered the consensus No. 1 pick. The duo played against one another twice last season, with Ball's UCLA Bruins crushing Fultz's Washington Huskies on both occasions.

"He's going to be (playing) my position, so ... if he happens to be the point guard I'm going against, then yeah, I want to get him out the way," Fultz said.

Despite being just 18 years of age, Fultz has set lofty expectations for the 2017-18 season, making it his personal goal to not only go first overall, but to also win MVP.

"No. 1 is big for me because I've been dreaming about it all my life. I want to come in and kill it. I want to be Rookie of the Year ... honestly, me? I want to be MVP next year," he said.

The 2017 NBA Draft Lottery will take place on May 16, with the Boston Celtics (via the Brooklyn Nets) possessing the greatest odds of landing this year's No. 1 pick.