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De’Aaron Fox showed a ton of promise during his first and only season at Kentucky. The 6’4 guard showed off killer athleticism and defensive intensity while running teams ragged in transition, in addition to demonstrating a real knack for getting to the bucket.
Those skills allowed Fox to average 16.7 points and 4.6 assists per game while becoming the fifth-highest rated player on DraftExpress’ list of the top-100 prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Fox also, however, had one glaring weakness: His 3-point shooting. Fox shot just 24.6 percent on threes during his lone season at Kentucky, and he told reporters after his private workout with the Los Angeles Lakers that he’s looking to turn that “weakness into a strength.”
Outside of his shooting, there were a few other things Fox wanted to show the Lakers as they deliberate over whether they want to select him, Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson or another player with the No. 2 pick in the draft.
De’Aaron Fox (@swipathefox) after his LAL workout: “I’m a fighter, even if I’m tired…you’re still going to get the most out of me." pic.twitter.com/SNVdCM3CgB
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 13, 2017
Fox: “I’m an extreme competitor. Good locker room guy. Someone that will try and earn the respect of the (older) guys.“
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 13, 2017
Fox: “I want to keep developing. I want to be one of those elite point guards.” Went on to praise how great and deep NBA PG’s are right now.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 13, 2017
One of the primary arguments some have made in favor of Fox over Ball was how the former outplayed the latter when their teams matched up in the NCAA tournament. Interestingly enough, Fox also said he doesn’t think that should matter:
Fox on if he thinks teams should take into account his matchup vs Ball in Sweet 16:"It doesn’t matter. It’s college. You put that behind us"
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 13, 2017
Fox also revealed that as far as the Lakers go, it’s more than Kobe Bryant’s shoes he was a fan of growing up:
Fox says he knows the history of the Lakers, his brother was a Lakers fan and he grew up watching Kobe
— Chris Geeter McGee (@geeter3) June 13, 2017
Before he left, Fox also revealed he would grab lunch with the Lakers front office. Whether it’s the first of many or a meaningless meal will likely depend on how much the Lakers believe in the improved shooting Fox hoped to show.
Here is an updating list of every player the Lakers have worked out or met with. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.