Fox cherishes “blessing” to join NBA’s 10K point club originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – De’Aaron Fox didn’t make much of a fuss after blacking his name in the Kings’ record books. For the NBA All-Star point guard, helping Sacramento get its first win of the season was much more important.
Fox joined an elite club when he became the fifth player in franchise history—and second in the Sacramento era—to score 10,000 points in his career in the third quarter of the 111-98 victory of the kings over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday at Golden 1 Center.
It was a moment to be celebrated for sure but one that Fox kind of lost until he scored in the third quarter to reach the milestone. That it came during a win for the Kings just added a little sweetness to it all.
“I forgot I was actually that close, but to do it at home and obviously do it in a win makes it even that much more special,” Fox said. “Not many people can do that. The average length of an NBA career is like 3 ½ (years), like literally one contract. So to be able to be blessed to be in the league for so long and to be able to put the ball in the basket so many times, definitely a blessing.”
Fox, 26, has been building for this since the Kings grabbed him with the No. 5 overall pick. the 2017 NBA Draft. Fox’s scoring average increased over his first three seasons, and he averaged better than 24 points per game over the past six seasons.
Against Portland, Fox had an uneven shooting night — 9 of 20 overall, 2 of 8 on 3-pointers — but still made a big enough impact to help Sacramento get out of town with a win.
Afterward, Kings coach Mike Brown marveled at the work his veteran point guard has done over the years.
“Man, what a career,” Brown said. “What he did for the city of Sacramento, for the organization, at such a young age to earn his 10,000th point, that should definitely be celebrated. That’s a great milestone to hit at this point in his career.”
