De’Aaron Fox

De’Aaron Fox

 

De’Aaron Martez Fox (born December 20, 1997), nicknamed “Swipa” and “The General,” is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighing 185 pounds (84 kg), Fox plays point guard and is known for his elite speed, explosiveness in transition, and clutch scoring ability. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA Draft. A three-time NBA All-Star (2023, 2024, 2025) and the 2023 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Fox led the league in steals in 2024 before being traded to the Spurs in February 2025.

 

Early Life 

 

Fox was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but grew up in Katy, Texas, after his family relocated to the Houston area. His mother, Lorraine Harris-Fox, is a breast cancer survivor, which inspired Fox to establish The Fox Whole Family Foundation to support women impacted by breast cancer.

 

High School Career

 

Fox attended Cypress Lakes High School in Katy, where he became a McDonald’s All-American. As a junior, he averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. During the summer, Fox played for Houston Hoops in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Circuit (EYBL), earning EYBL First Team honors. On November 29, 2016, he scored 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in a 68-53 victory over MacArthur.

 

College Career

 

Fox attended the University of Kentucky in 2016-17, averaging 16.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game as a freshman. He led the SEC in assists and earned First Team All-SEC honors. His most memorable performance came in the 2017 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, when he scored 39 points against UCLA to advance Kentucky to the Elite Eight. However, the Wildcats lost 75-73 to North Carolina on a last-second jumper by Luke Maye. Fox declared for the 2017 NBA Draft following his freshman season.

 

NBA Career

 

Sacramento Kings (2017–2025)

 

Fox was selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings on June 22, 2017, becoming the first Kentucky guard drafted in the first round after his freshman year since Michael Jordan. He made his NBA debut on October 18, 2017, scoring 14 points against Houston.

 

In 2022-23, Fox had a breakout season, averaging 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the field. He was selected to his first All-Star Game and All-NBA Third Team, and was named NBA Clutch Player of the Year. Fox led the Kings to their first playoff appearance since 2006, ending a 16-year drought, the longest in NBA history at the time.

 

Fox continued his excellence in 2023-24, leading the league with 2.0 steals per game and earning his second All-Star selection. On March 6, 2024, he scored 44 points against the Lakers. On November 15, 2024, Fox set a Kings franchise record with 60 points in an overtime loss to Minnesota. The next night, he scored 49 points against Utah, becoming just the third player in NBA history to score at least 109 points over two days, joining Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain.

 

San Antonio Spurs (2025–present)

 

On February 3, 2025, Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal involving the Chicago Bulls. Sacramento received Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, and multiple draft picks. Fox made his Spurs debut on February 5, recording 24 points and 13 assists in a 126-125 win over Atlanta, becoming the first player in franchise history to post 20+ points and 10+ assists in a debut.

 

On March 13, 2025, Fox underwent season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage in his left pinkie finger. On August 4, 2025, he signed a four-year, $229 million maximum contract extension with the Spurs through 2029-30. Through February 2026, Fox is averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds for San Antonio. 

 

He was selected by Commissioner Adam Silver as an injury replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. Notably, in the All-Star Game on February 15, Fox hit the game-winning three-pointer for the USA Stripes team.

 

Personal Life

 

Fox married his longtime girlfriend, Recee Caldwell, in 2020. He established The Fox Whole Family Foundation and the Breast Cancer Community Assist Program, donating $100 for each assist at home games to the Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation. He owns The Den Sports Facility in Houston.

 

References

 

External Links

* De’Aaron Fox on NBA.com

* De’Aaron Fox on Basketball-Reference.com