Hoops Habit
Fansided

2017 NBA Mock Draft: An Early Look Ahead

By Maxwell Ogden

MAPLE GROVE, MN- MAY 23: Harry Giles #1 from Team CP3 and Wesleyan Christian Academy during Session Four of the Nike EYBL on May 23, 2015 at Maple Grove Community Gym in Maple Grove, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)
MAPLE GROVE, MN- MAY 23: Harry Giles #1 from Team CP3 and Wesleyan Christian Academy during Session Four of the Nike EYBL on May 23, 2015 at Maple Grove Community Gym in Maple Grove, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 31
Next
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 1: DeAaron Fox #31 poses for a portrait during Adidas Nations Atlanta on May 1, 2015 at the JW Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 1: DeAaron Fox #31 poses for a portrait during Adidas Nations Atlanta on May 1, 2015 at the JW Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images) /

4. De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Point Guard
Age: 18 (12/20/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3.5″, 171 pounds, 6’6.25″
Slash Line: N/A
Season Averages: N/A

I’m higher on De’Aaron Fox than most analysts you’ll find, and that’s a fine reality. When watching him play, however, he overwhelms the opposition by mixing elite athleticism, prototypical size, and surprisingly strong mechanics on his jump shot.

Fox is still a work in progress as an all-around scorer, but if any coach can help an explosive point guard become an elite prospect, it’s John Calipari.

Fox is going to play for a coach who helped the likes of Tyreke Evans, Derrick Rose, and John Wall become NBA standouts. The latter two are or were stars, and Fox shows that same potential at the next level.

An elite athlete, the southpaw 6’4″ point guard has every tool to be a dynamic playmaker and perennial All-Star in the NBA.

Fox’s jump shot is still erratic, but his mechanics are strong both off the catch and off the bounce. Defensively, he’s a competitive player who can terrorize the passing lanes and displays lockdown potential.

I may be higher on Fox than most, but he has truly elite potential that Calipari can explore and reveal.

Next: Bosh Potential