New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Prospects To Watch In The Sweet 16

3 of 6

Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) dunks against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports /

De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (12/20/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3.5″, 171 pounds, 6’6.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .475/.234/.728
2016-17 Season Averages: 29.4 MPG, 16.1 PPG, 4.6 APG, 4.0 RPG, 1.4 SPG

As previously alluded to, Lonzo Ball is widely regarded as the best playmaker in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. In addition to having a unique combination of size and court vision, he can work without the ball and score in a myriad of ways.

In the Sweet 16, fellow floor general De’Aaron Fox will have a chance to prove that he’s on the same level as Ball when the Kentucky Wildcats face the UCLA Bruins.

Fox was the Wildcats’ primary facilitator for much of 2016-17, but he’s since seen a sharp decline in his production. That’s coincided with him becoming more aggressive as a scorer, which includes the 19 points he amassed during the Round of 64.

With a head-to-head battle with Ball looming, Fox can either solidify his Top 5 status with another stellar showing or provide scouts with reasonable doubt.

Fox has made seven 3-point field goals in his past eight games after sinking eight in his previous 27 appearances. He’s 0-of-2 from distance in the NCAA Tournament, however, and that simply will not suffice against a shooter of Ball’s caliber.

Fox is the perfect point guard for the New York Knicks, but he’ll need to be at his best if Kentucky is going to overcome UCLA.

Home/Knicks News