Irish basketball star CJ Fulton has signed a contract with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.
The development makes the Belfast native the first Irishman to make it to the NBA having cut his teeth primarily in the Irish basketball system.
Offaly-born Pat Burke signed with Orlando Magic in 2002 and would later play two seasons with the Phoenix Suns. Burke - who moved to Ohio as a child - built his career in Spain and Greece before heading to the NBA.
Susan Moran, also from Offaly, signed with the New York Liberty the same year Burke moved to Orlando and is thus far the only Irish-born woman to make it to the WNBA.
Fulton, son of former Irish international guard Adrian, spent two seasons playing college basketball for NCAA Division I side Charleston before entering the NBA draft.
Although the point guard wasn't picked up during the draft selection, he represented the Timberwolves during the recent Summer League - an out-of-season competition used to find and develop new players.
The 23-year-old guard will likely be moved to the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s 'reserve' side who play in the NBA's G-League.
The Timberwolves, led by star guard Anthony Edwards and French centre Rudy Gobert, possess one of the strongest rosters in the league having reached the Western Conference finals last season.
It is believed Fulton had already received offers from across Europe, including one from a top Spanish team, but chose to stay Stateside.
Fulton won a Super League with Belfast Star and before that an All-Ireland Schools titles with St Malachy's before he left for America.
