The saying hardwork beats talent really is what Class of 2016 Dematha (MD) high school guard Markelle Fultz is all about.

For the first time in his high school playing career, Fultz will be playing on the varsity level during the upcoming 2014-15 season. This comes after putting in a lot of work for the Dematha Stags junior varsity team during his sophomore year. The varsity level is what most young hoopers aspire to get to, but for Fultz, he took being at the junior varsity level as an opportunity to showcase his talents, both on and off the court.

So how does a player who primarily rode the junior varsity team pick up so many offers? It all started during the spring, when the 6-foot-4 guard played with the DC Blue Devils U16 team on the AAU circuit. The first step on this journey began at the Pitt Jam Fest in April, where Fultz and the Blue Devils won the championship.

Then, Fultz really started to jump on the scene after a huge month of July with the DC Premiere U17 team. Fultz and his teammates partook in the Fab 48 event, where they were one of the final four teams in the tournament. In a matchup with the Atlanta Xpress, Markelle finished with 15 points and three rebounds, proving to be one of the top players in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC).

Brian Inge, the Co-Founder and CEO of 94 Feet Basketball, who coached Fultz, talked to Big East Coast Bias about how he has seen him grown since 7th grade. "He has grown tremendously on the court," Inge said. "But his biggest improvement he has made is believing in himself and becoming comfortable with his abilities. He's also grown as a leader."

Also Inge noted to Big East Coast Bias that Markelle has always been a great shooter, and one thing that he has gotten better at is that is becoming better at finishing at and above the rim.

The offers for Fultz have been increasing by the week, as Cincinnati and George Mason have sent them his way. Others include Washington, Rhode Island, Maryland, High Point, North Carolina State, and the Old Dominion, among others.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this profile, as I do a Q&A; with Markelle Fultz.