NBA India Games 2019: Fast Facts on Sacramento Kings' guard De'Aaron Fox

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De'Aaron Fox

The historic NBA India Games, a couple of preseason games to be played at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai for the first time ever on October 4 and 5, features the Indiana Pacers and the Sacramento Kings. 

Like they were during the 2018-19 season, the Kings will be led by their emerging superstar point guard De'Aaron Fox.

Fox finished third in the voting for the 2018-19 Most Improved Player award and was a huge reason why the Kings finished with 39 wins, their most in 13 seasons. 

So, who is De'Aaron Fox? 

Background

Fox was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 20th, 1997.

High school & College experience

He went to high school at Cypress Lakes High School in Houston, Texas. 

As a high school player, he was named a McDonald's All-American. A couple of months later, he participated in the Jordan Brand Classic and led the East to a 131-117 win, earning Co-MVPs honours with Malik Monk. 

That's not all.

He was invited to the Nike Hoop Summit and the NBPA Top 100 Camp. He was also selected to the USA Men's Basketball Men's Junior Team. 

Fox led his high school to three straight playoff appearances including a regional final in his senior year. 

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In November 2015, he committed to Kentucky to play under coach John Calipari.

Leading the Wildcats to their 31st SEC (Southeastern Conference) title, Fox was named MVP as they beat Arkansas in the final of the SEC Tournament. Given his performances, he was also named First-Team All-SEC and the SEC All-Freshmen Team.

MORE: Top 10 games/moments from the Kings' 2018-19 season

In the NCAA tournament, it was the end of the road for Fox and the Wildcats when they were beaten by the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Elite Eight. 

After the 2016-17 season, Fox announced that he would forego his remaining years at Kentucky to enter the 2017 NBA Draft.

NBA career so far

In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings picked Fox with the fifth overall pick. 

Adam Silver and De

He started 60 of the 73 games he played in his rookie year. He averaged 11.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds on 41.2% shooting from the field. In his debut against the Houston Rockets, he finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assist in 24-plus minutes in a 105-100 loss.

In his second season, Fox recorded his first career triple-double with career-highs of 31 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 146-115 win against the Atlanta Hawks. With the team playing at a faster pace in the 2018-19 season than in 2017-18, Fox saw a huge jump in his minutes, averages and efficiency. 

MORE: Kings' roster for the NBA India Games

He finished the 2018-19 season with averages of 17.3 points, 7.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds on 45.8% shooting from the field while playing in 81 regular-season games. These numbers played a huge role in him finishing third behind Pascal Siakam (2018-19 MIP) and D'Angelo Russell in the Most Improved Player voting.

Skill Set

Heading into the 2019-20 season, Fox, just 21, is considered among the emerging young point guards in the league. 

He is very quick and athletic, and in the 2018-19 season, he has showcased the skill to play efficiently at that pace. 

For more updates and stories on the NBA India Games 2019, you can follow NBA.com's page dedicated to the historic event.

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