76ers' Brown 'proud' of Fultz after growth with Magic

Ahead of Friday's meeting between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic, Sixers head coach Brett Brown said he still keeps tabs on Markelle Fultz and is happy to see him thriving with his new club.

"I still take great interest in him and I think he's doing great," Brown told reporters pregame, including Magic.com's John Denton. "I applaud the (Magic) organization for nurturing him and growing him. What I see from him, here (in Orlando), is a path and a future. I'm proud of him."

Brown was quite emotional the day after Philadelphia traded the 2017 No. 1 pick. While the Sixers' bench boss was happy to see Fultz get an opportunity elsewhere, Brown wished the 21-year-old's tenure in Philadelphia turned out better.

"I'd be lying if I didn't feel sad," Brown told reporters in February. "It was two emotions I had - sad personally, selfishly I suppose. I never really felt like I got a chance to coach him. I never really felt like the city got a chance to see him.

"I felt sad for that. I was pleased for him that he had a new start. He had a fresh start, another opportunity."

Fultz has resurrected his career after injuries often sidelined him over parts of two seasons with Philadelphia. He's started 24 of 29 games with the Magic this season, averaging 11.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest.

Fultz produced another strong performance on Friday, posting 13 points, six assists, and three boards in Orlando's 98-97 victory over his former team.