Boyhood friends Fox, Jackson become teammates once again
NEW YORK — Aaron Fox smiled and shook his head.
It was all too good to be true.
Not only was his son De’Aaron selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA draft Thursday night, but one of De’Aaron’s boyhood friends also wound up with Sacramento after the first round.
Ten picks and less than an hour later, Justin Jackson found himself headed to California as well..
“It’s hard to imagine this
could happen,” Aaron said. “They’ve known each other since De’Aaron was a freshman in high school. Now they get to take this next step together, too. It’s really special.” Special, indeed. De’Aaron, who starred at Cypress Lakes High School, and Jackson, who played for HCYA, were standout players on a Houston Hoops AAU team that also included Justise Winslow and Kelly Oubre, both of whom were selected in the first round of the 2015 NBA draft.
“We were pretty good,” Jackson said with a grin. “It was a lot of fun.”
Fox and Jackson are the latest in a long line of firstround draft picks from the Houston area.
On Thursday night, the sharply dressed young men sat with their families and fellow draft classmates as they waited to hear their names called.
Together again
In the end, Fox and Jackson once again found themselves on the same team — one that can really use what each has to offer. The Kings are looking to rebuild after missing the playoffs for an 11th consecutive season.
Fox played last season at Kentucky, where the freshman point guard showcased his incredible speed and superb ballhandling skills.
Jackson, who won a national championship as a freshman with North Carolina last year, is long and athletic.
In Fox and Jackson, Sacramento gets a couple of proven winners who are eager to make their mark at the next level. That should bode well for the Kings.
Plus, the embattled NBA team gets a couple of young players who are as personable as they are talented.
Fox showed a little of his personality as his name was called Thursday night when he donned a Kings visor instead of the more traditional cap that usually are handed out to the draftees as they approach the stage.
Fox, who sports some of the best hair in basketball, had thought ahead and asked a handful of teams to provide a visor if they planned to select him.
“It looks good, right?” he said.
It was just a visor, but it helped set Fox apart from the rest. It showed wit, flair, preparedness and a sense of humor.
Moments after the Lonzo Ball show had concluded, Fox stole the spotlight in a clever and fun way.
Jackson’s personality is more subdued and understated. Recently engaged, he speaks frequently about his Christian faith and says he is looking forward to settling down and putting down roots.
Jackson will work hard, and he won’t be a source for drama.
On top of all of that, Fox and Jackson said they are thrilled to be going to Sacramento.
The Kings have not enjoyed much success on the court, but both players feel like they can help with that.
“I’m going to work extremely hard to bring more wins,” Jackson said. “This is going to be a group effort, but I think we can go in and change things.”
Fox said he would show up ready to play, learn and lead.
“It’s a tough division, a tough conference,” Fox said. “I want to go in there, and I want to help turn things around.”
He will be able to do that with a familiar face by his side in Jackson, with whom Fox has stayed in touch after the two eventually went their separate ways.
Smoother transition
Jackson said having Fox around will make the transition to the next level smoother.
“Sacramento is a long way away, so to have someone I’ve been around and know really well, that will be great,” Jackson said.
As longtime friends and former teammates, Fox and Jackson know how to win together.
“We were lucky enough to be on a team like that when we were young,” Jackson said. “I think it made all of us on that team better.”
Now Fox and Jackson are looking to make the Kings better.
“It’s really something,” Aaron Fox said. “They’ve worked really hard to get to this point. I think everyone feels really good about how tonight turned out.”