Career Timeline of De'Aaron Fox: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how De'Aaron Fox made an impact.

De'Aaron Fox, nicknamed "Swipa", is a professional basketball player currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats and was drafted fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2017. Fox experienced a breakout season in 2023, earning his first All-Star Game selection, All-NBA Team honors, and the NBA Clutch Player of the Year award. He led the Kings to their first postseason appearance since 2006. In 2024, he also led the league in steals.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1988: Chris Mill's Triple Double

De'Aaron Fox became the second Wildcat in the history of Kentucky basketball to record a triple double after Chris Mill in 1988

2005: LeBron James Milestone

De'Aaron Fox became the only player after LeBron James in 2005 to score a 30-point triple double before the age of 21.

2006: Kings' Postseason Drought

In 2023, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings to their first postseason berth since 2006, ending a long drought for the team.

2007: Kobe Bryant's Milestone

De'Aaron Fox is just the third player in NBA history to score at least 109 over two days, joining Kobe Bryant (2007) and Wilt Chamberlain (17 different times).

September 2015: USA Men's Basketball Men's Junior Team

In September 2015, De'Aaron Fox made the 2015–16 USA Men's Basketball Men's Junior Team.

November 12, 2015: Commitment to Kentucky

On November 12, 2015, De'Aaron Fox committed to Kentucky over other universities, stating that it felt like a family at UK. The announcement was made live on ESPNU.

January 2016: McDonald's All-American

In January 2016, De'Aaron Fox was named a McDonald's All-American and played in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game on March 30.

November 13, 2016: Victory Over Canisius College

On November 13, 2016, De'Aaron Fox recorded 21 points and 3 assists during a 93–69 victory over Canisius College at the Bluegrass Showcase.

2016: DeMarcus Cousins Milestone

De'Aaron Fox became the second Sacramento player after DeMarcus Cousins in 2016 when he scored 104 to score at least 100 points in a two-game span.

January 7, 2017: Victory Over Arkansas

On January 7, 2017, De'Aaron Fox scored 27 points to go along with 6 assists in a 97–71 victory over Arkansas.

June 22, 2017: Drafted by Sacramento Kings

On June 22, 2017, De'Aaron Fox was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings.

July 8, 2017: Signed Rookie Contract with Kings

On July 8, 2017, De'Aaron Fox signed his rookie scale contract with the Sacramento Kings.

October 18, 2017: NBA Debut

On October 18, 2017, De'Aaron Fox made his NBA debut for the Sacramento Kings against the Houston Rockets, scoring 14 points, with 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 105–100 loss.

October 23, 2017: Career-High 19 Points

On October 23, 2017, De'Aaron Fox recorded a career-high 19 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in a 117–115 loss against the Phoenix Suns.

December 8, 2017: Win Against Pelicans

On December 8, 2017, De'Aaron Fox scored 14 points, 4 assist and 2 steals in a 116–109 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.

2017: Decision to Enter NBA Draft

In 2017, De'Aaron Fox announced he would forgo his final three years of college eligibility and enter the NBA draft, stating it was time for him to live out his dream.

2017: NBA Draft and Sacramento Kings Selection

In 2017, De'Aaron Fox was selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA draft after playing college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.

2017: Endorsement Deal with Nike

Prior to the 2017 NBA draft, De'Aaron Fox signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike.

January 6, 2018: Victory Over Denver Nuggets

On January 6, 2018, De'Aaron Fox recorded 18 points and 7 assist in a 106–98 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

January 25, 2018: Game Winning Putback Dunk

On January 25, 2018, De'Aaron Fox scored 14 points, 4 assist and a putback slam dunk with 3.3 seconds left giving the Sacramento Kings the lead in an 89–88 win over the Miami Heat.

January 28, 2018: Season-High 26 Points

On January 28, 2018, De'Aaron Fox scored a season-high 26 points, going 6–6 from three-point range in a 15-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

November 1, 2018: First Career Triple-Double

On November 1, 2018, De'Aaron Fox achieved his first career triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists in a 146–115 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

2018: Fastest Player in the League

In 2018, Fox himself stated "If we’re talking about from baseline to baseline with the ball in my hands, I’m definitely the fastest person in the league."

2019: Nomination for Most Improved Player

In 2019, De'Aaron Fox was nominated for the NBA Most Improved Player Award, finishing second to Pascal Siakam, after improving in every major statistical category.

July 31, 2020: Then Career-High 39 Points

On July 31, 2020, De'Aaron Fox scored a then career-high 39 points in a 129–120 loss to the San Antonio Spurs during the Kings’ first game in the Orlando bubble after a 4-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 25, 2020: Contract Extension with Kings

On November 25, 2020, De'Aaron Fox signed a five-year, $163 million contract extension with the Kings.

2020: Luka Dončić Playoff Debut

De'Aaron Fox achieved the second-most points in a playoff debut after Luka Dončić who scored 42 points in 2020.

February 8, 2021: Western Conference Player of the Week

On February 8, 2021, De'Aaron Fox was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career, averaging 31 points and nearly 9 assists while winning all 4 games.

March 26, 2021: Then Career-High 44 Points

On March 26, 2021, De'Aaron Fox scored a then career-high 44 points on 16-of-22 shooting in a 141–119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

March 29, 2021: Second Player of the Week Award

On March 29, 2021, De'Aaron Fox was named Player of the Week for the second time during Week 14, averaging nearly 37 points and 5 assists per game while shooting 64% from the field over 4 games.

March 5, 2022: Tied Then Career-High 44 Points

On March 5, 2022, De'Aaron Fox tied his then career-high with 44 points on 18-for-31 shooting in a 114–113 loss against the Dallas Mavericks.

November 5, 2022: Game Winning Buzzer-Beater

On November 5, 2022, De'Aaron Fox put up 37 points, alongside a buzzer-beating, game-winning three, in a 126–123 overtime win over the Orlando Magic.

2022: All Star Appearance

On February 12, 2026, De'Aaron Fox was announced to be the replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, marking it as his second official All Star appearance since the 2022–23 NBA season.

February 10, 2023: First All-Star Selection

On February 10, 2023, De'Aaron Fox was named an All-Star for the first time in his career as a reserve, replacing injured stars Stephen Curry and Zion Williamson.

April 19, 2023: NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award

On April 19, 2023, De'Aaron Fox was named as the inaugural recipient of the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award.

October 2023: Shoe Deal with Curry Brand

In October 2023, De'Aaron Fox signed a shoe deal with Curry Brand, making him the first official signature athlete for the brand.

November 17, 2023: Season-High 43 Points

On November 17, 2023, De'Aaron Fox scored a season-high 43 points along with 8 rebounds and 7 assists in a 129–120 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

2023: Breakout Season

In 2023, De'Aaron Fox had a breakout season, being selected to his first All-Star Game and All-NBA Team. He was also named NBA Clutch Player of the Year, leading the Kings to their first postseason berth since 2006.

March 6, 2024: Tied Then Career High

On March 6, 2024, De'Aaron Fox tied his then career high with 44 points in a 130–120 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

November 15, 2024: Career-High 60 Points

On November 15, 2024, De'Aaron Fox scored a career-high 60 points in a 130–126 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, setting a franchise record for the most points scored by a Kings player in a game.

2024: League Leader in Steals

In 2024, De'Aaron Fox led the NBA league in steals.

February 3, 2025: Trade to San Antonio Spurs

On February 3, 2025, De'Aaron Fox was traded, alongside Jordan McLaughlin, to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team trade also involving the Chicago Bulls.

February 12, 2026: 2nd All-Star Game Appearance

2029: Contract with Spurs

On August 4, the Spurs and Fox reached a 4-year, $229 million maximum contract extension. The max deal has no player option in the final year and will keep him with the franchise until the 2029–30 season.