Prospects the Philadelphia 76ers Should Watch for in the 2017 Draft Class

PG De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky, FR

As yet another athletic guard out of Kentucky, De’Aaron Fox (pictured left) brings a level of defensive prowess that’s highly intriguing in a draft class that has been largely characterized by offensive firepower. Standing around 6’3” with a 6’6” wingspan, Fox is well built for the point guard spot at any level moving forward and has the type of two-way pedigree that could be intriguing to a team like the 76ers come draft night.

Offensively, Fox has shown some distinct limitations, but he’s far from ineffective. He’s quick off the dribble with excellent ball handling skills and a knack for creating his own shot around the basket. His finishing touch is still unpolished, but he gets into the teeth of the defense with ease and can certainly operate at a high level from there. Shooting wise, he has been inconsistent overall, but his mechanics are strong and he has all the looks of someone who could develop into a legitimate spacer, especially spotting up, at the next level. Fox is an unselfish distributor as well, and although his decision making is still developing, his ability to move the ball is promising for someone entering one of the most effective college programs in the country.

Defensively, Fox’s aggressiveness and awareness are at a level simply unmatched in this draft class. He’s quick laterally and does an extremely good job of staying in front of his opposition and anticipating their next move with constant effectiveness  He forces steals at a high rate and in a pesky ball hawk who has all the signs of a formidable stopper once he hits the NBA, something that could suit Brett Brown’s system well. His basketball I.Q. really shines through on the defensive side of the ball, and given that he has plenty to work with offensively as well, he could be a viable option in the later stages of the lottery or the mid-first round depending on where the 76ers find themselves making selections by the time next year roles around.

Fox has a solid two-way floor with a ceiling that puts him in the same category as a number of the surefire lottery picks in the upcoming class. Whether or not he falls far beyond the lottery’s end or rises further up is obviously something we won’t be able to gauge until after this upcoming college season comes to a conclusion, but he’s a solid option to consider for Philadelphia in a premature sense.

"“What will allow Fox to make an impact from day one at the college level is his defensive prowess. He brings tremendous intensity to this end of the floor, to go along with his excellent size and quickness. He has quick hands and terrific instincts for swiping at the ball and creating turnovers, which helped him to wreak havoc on the World Team guards in the actual game and create a ton of easy baskets for his teammates.” -Jonathan Givony, DraftExpress"

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