NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: De’Aaron Fox
By Ti Windisch
Weaknesses
De’Aaron Fox’s weaknesses are not widespread. He’s a capable scorer, a good passer and a strong defender. He’s got NBA-level size for his position, at 6’4″ with a 6’6″ wingspan. So, what’s the problem?
The problem is he can’t shoot from outside. Fox made just 24.6 percent of his three-pointers with Kentucky, and with talented floor spacers like Malik Monk and Derek Willis around him there was no shortage of space for Fox to get his shots off.
Indeed, he took nearly two threes per game, a ton for someone hardly making any of them. It wasn’t great for Kentucky that he took so many triples, but his refusal to stop trying might help out Fox in the long run. If he does get that shot going, he’s going to be one hell of a pro.
Unfortunately for him, it doesn’t get any easier at the NBA level. Defenders are longer and just plain better, and the arc is farther from the rim. The hope is that Fox will become a capable shooter, but teams can’t rely on that happening based on the evidence Fox provided with Kentucky.