NBA Future Prospect: De'Aaron Fox
De’Aaron Fox: 6’3” and 187 lbs. Guard from Kentucky
De’Aaron Fox is projected to be a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft, no surprise considering Kentucky is effectively an NBA talent factory. Fox brings everything to the table you would expect from a point guard from his passing ability to his on-ball defense. He has great size, good court vision, very fast, and has quick hands. His only serious drawback is his below average ability to shoot the ball.
Fox is a pure point guard, so his greatest attribute is his ability to facilitate the ball. He is always looking to pass the ball first, he is especially adept at running the fast break. His size allows him to see the floor well and he knows the right play to make. Occasionally he can rush the offense and make mistakes but not as often as he makes the right play.
Fox is also a really good on ball defender making him a solid two-way player. His size, speed, and athleticism make him a very tough defender. His quick hands and speed make his on-ball defense his greatest strength on that side of the floor. Fox’s ability to turn his opponent over sets up the fast break which is where he seems most comfortable in the offense.
While Fox is great at driving the ball to the basket, his biggest weakness is scoring the ball outside of the paint. He can on occasion make from mid-range but he will look to pass out of the shot before taking it. His outside range is non-existent shooting an abysmal 13.5% from three for the season. Fortunately for Fox his ability to get to the basket and find the open man make up for his inability to shoot the ball.
Coming out of Kentucky is enough to garner interest from a lot of NBA teams but Fox’s skills are what will land him in the top 10. He has all the intangibles of a true point guard with his only real weakness being his outside shooting. He would fit perfectly on a team like the 76ers who are in need of a more dynamic point, or even the Timberwolves if they end up moving Ricky Rubio. Fox is all but guaranteed to go in the top 10 and his skills will translate right into the NBA making him a very safe pick for the team that does end up taking him.
Featured Game: Win vs. Texas A&M 100-58
The featured game I chose for Fox was Kentucky’s game against Texas A&M on 1/3/17. He ended the game with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. He was 5-9 from the floor and 5-8 at the free throw line. A&M had a really hard time scoring the ball against Kentucky which led to a lot of fast break opportunities which is where Fox really excels. He attacked the basket consistently and always found the open man when the defense collapsed. Fox also harassed the Aggie guards throughout the game forcing turnovers, bad shots, and bad passing. Fox’s arsenal of skills were on full display against Texas A&M, an arsenal that have him poised to be very successful at the pro level.
1st Half Shot Chart:
2nd Half Shot Chart:
