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Kentucky Basketball: De’Aaron Fox will be molded by veterans in Sacramento

By Frank Spencer

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: De'Aaron Fox speaks to media before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: De'Aaron Fox speaks to media before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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De’Aaron Fox was the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The former Kentucky Basketball star will begin his career under the tutelage of a few seasoned veterans.

De’Aaron Fox starred in a Kentucky Basketball uniform. Now, he will suit up for the Sacramento Kings as the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Fortunately, for Fox, the Kings front office has worked to lure in some veterans to help introduce their rookies into the league. The NBA is a eat or be eaten world. Young stars are forced into action sometimes too early in their careers. De’Aaron Fox will get the opportunity to play behind a seasoned NBA point guard and learn what it means to be a pro.

George Hill was acquired by the Kings this offseason. Hill has been a consistent starter in the NBA for the past five seasons. He came into the league in 2008 as he was drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.

With stops in Indiana and Utah, Hill has now made his way to Sacramento to be the role model De’Aaron Fox needs. Hill is a constant scorer with a great handle for the game. He distributes the ball generously as Fox does. Now, the Kings have the one-two punch at the point guard position.

De’Aaron Fox will probably not be the starter going into the season which may be a good thing. Kentucky Basketball fans can look at the Fox situation like the Aaron Rogers and Brett Favre situation. Rogers was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and played behind Brett Favre for a number of seasons before stepping into the lead role.

That may be what De’Aaron Fox needs to ease his way into the fold. This way, he won’t have to take control of a team on his own. He won’t have the pressure of packing a team to the playoffs.

Learning how to be a pro

George Hill isn’t the only offseason pick-up that will affect Fox. Vince Carter as well as Zach Randolph will be making their way to the Kings. With the addition of these two veterans, De’Aaron Fox as well as the other incoming rookies will have a model to learn how to be a true professional.

Carter has been a staple in the league for what seems like a century. He is 40 years old and still playing good basketball. Vinsanity, will definitely have a strong hand in molding Fox to be a strong young player.

Randolph is much of the same. He plays in the post and has been a strong presence for the Memphis Grizzlies since 2009.

With the inclusion of these two along with George Hill, the Kings’ young core of players will have a solid group of veterans to look to for advice.

Next: Ranking the top 25 Kentucky Basketball players of All-Time

Randolph will especially be a model for two other Kentucky Basketball stars. Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein are going to thrive with Randolph in the roster. They will learn the ins and outs of what it takes to play the post in the NBA. Plus, a growing work ethic among these youngsters can only mold them into great NBA players for seasons to come.

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