NBA Draft Prospect Profile: De'Aaron Fox
By: Nick Neppach
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De'Aaron Fox: Point Guard, Kentucky
Height: 6'3" Wingspan: 6'6" Weight: 185 lbs.
Quickness, energy.
Commands and runs the Wildcats offense.
No jump shot.
De'Aaron Fox was the driver of the Kentucky offense. If it's a roller coaster, he is the one keeping it on the track. Fox can lead the break or run sets in the half court. He is lightning quick and has great athleticism. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. In college, he got to the rim whenever he wanted. Here against Missouri, he gets a screen, the big stays back preventing the drive or the lob to Bam Adebayo, and the guard is too late trying to recover. Fox gets to the basket easily and scores.
When Fox is attacking and driving he is at his best. His quickness allows him to get to the rim where he is converting 64% of the time according to Hoop-Math.com.
Fox can really show his speed in transition. Kentucky liked to get out and run. And with Fox leading the break, they were in good hands. Here against Georgia, Fox surveys the floor, and just after the half court line kicks into full gear. He doesn't convert the basket but he draws the foul.
There is a lot to like about De'Aaron Fox. But he has one major flaw. He shot just 24.6% from three. In the NBA, teams will force Fox to shoot threes. In this example during the Georgia game, he is left wide open. The defense stays back preventing the drive. Instead of shooting the open three, Fox dribbles inside the line and misses a two-point jumper.
This followed a similar instance in the same game, where Fox took a wide three after a drive and kick out. He is left open but misses the shot.
In both instances, the defense can afford to double team or trap the driver. Because Fox is no threat to make the three, defenses can afford to leave him open and make him beat them from the outside.
In today's NBA, the best point guards are a threat to pull up and hit the three. In the pick and roll, if a point guard can shoot, it makes them all the more dangerous. The days of Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose style of play are on the way out. Facilitating point guards, who either get to the basket and finish, or kick to shooters. Could someone fix De'Aaon Fox' shot? Sure. Will they? That is what one franchise will have to find out. If they can, he could turn out to be the best point guard in this class. If not, one franchise could set itself back. It all hinges on if De'Aaron Fox can fix his jumper.