De'Aaron Fox: 'What's big about me is I play both sides of the ball'

De'Aaron Fox has started the season strong, leading the Sacramento Kings with improved stats across the board. He’s betting on himself after forgoing an extension to aim for a ‘supermax’ contract, positioning the Kings as a potential playoff threat in the Western Conference.

Off the court, Fox is launching his signature shoe, the Fox 1, in collaboration with Curry Brand. Designed for speed and agility, the sneaker reflects Fox's style with unique elements like "fur" on the tongue and lightning-inspired accents.

Despite last season’s playoff appearance via the Play-In tournament, which some might view as a step back from the prior year, he remains focused on building team chemistry, especially on defense, to compete in a challenging Western Conference.

Last week, before Fox scored 109 points over a two-game span, he sat down with HoopsHype. Fox discussed his start to the 2024-25 NBA season, what it's been like teaming up with DeMar DeRozan, having Malik Monk re-sign, the Kings' potential as a competitive force in the West, and more, as we near the release of his Fox 1 with Under Armour’s Curry Brand.

How does the Fox 1 shoe reflect your personality and play style?

De'Aaron Fox: A big thing for me was I wanted it to be built like a running shoe, just from the way that I play. A lot of stop-and-go, a lot of cuts and things of that nature, so it still has that type of support while being a basketball shoe. So, that was huge for me in having the shoe designed like that.

How does it feel to have a signature shoe, not only with Under Armour but also being part of the Curry Brand, and how is it different from other brands?

DF: Being that first guy under Curry brand is one, I mean, historic. But two, I felt like I could be one of those guys to be able to continue to push that brand forward, just like guys have done with Jordan for years and years. For years and years to come, I felt like I could be the first or one of the first guys to help him push that brand. And obviously, at the end of the day, that also helps me as well. So I felt like for a business decision was great for both sides. And I truly love the product. I spoke well about the product even before we even had conversations about even signing to the brand. So I think just growing organically has made this process even better.

What's it like playing with DeMar DeRozan in Sacramento?

DF: It's been cool, man. Just the way that he gets to his spot, he just makes the game look so effortless. And when he's playing, you have to send doubles at him. So he makes the game a whole lot easier for everybody else that's on the court with him.

What's it like having that connection with Malik Monk, considering you guys go way back?

DF: I definitely think it's great, especially whenever you can lock in a deal and have that sense of security. But just being able to play together again after college and being able to get the team out of a playoff drought, we know we still have a lot to go and we want to be a team that can compete for championships. But truly being able to love the guys that you're playing with makes it easier to play with them and it allows guys to be able to get on each other without taking stuff personal.

What sets you apart from other guards in your bid for an All-NBA spot this season?

DF: For me, it's continuing to affect the game on both ends of the court. You know, even if I'm not scoring, being able to be a guy who can make an All-Defensive Team and things like that. I think what's big about me is I play both sides of the ball. I can average 25, but I could also lock somebody down if need be. So that's a big thing for me. And I think it also helps having another guy like DeMar who's able to pretty much control the offense and guys like Domas and Malik. So I'm able to be able to be effective on both ends of the court. And I think that's kind of what separates me from a lot of guys.

How do you balance the personal motivation for a 'supermax' with team goals?

DF: I don't think about it. I go out there and I try to do whatever I can to help my team win. Those things come when they come. Winning solves a lot of problems as well. So I don't go out there thinking about it. I go out there and I play my game.

After breaking the playoff drought and making a play-in appearance, what are the team's expectations now?

DF: You definitely want to keep building. And obviously, last year having 46 wins is nothing to slouch at. But being in the West, that's not enough. So I think a lot of it has to do with winning games that you're supposed to win. And obviously, games that are like evenly split or whatever it may be. You want to try to win as many of those as possible. I think we gave up like the most 20-point leads last year. So if we win games that we're supposed to win, we probably have 53, 54 wins rather than having 46. So for us, it's really just a lot of it has to do with taking care of business when you're supposed to.

What is the next level you’re trying to reach as a player?

DF: A lot of it for me, I think it always stems from shooting, being a better shooter, being a high-level shooter. I feel like I can get down, I can get downhill. I feel like I can guard anybody. So a lot of it has to do with what makes it easier, especially because playing with DeMar, a lot of it can be done by playing off the catch. It's a lot easier to do that than having to create for yourself. But I think that's that's kind of where it lies. And I feel like if I can continue to do that, it helps my team as far as spacing the floor and getting guys better looks.

You’ve improved efficiency in the halfcourt and are getting to the free throw line more consistently. Was there a change in your approach this offseason?

DF: I don't know. I mean, just putting the emphasis on touching the paint a little bit more. I've always been towards the top of the league in that aspect. But the more that I can do it, the more that my teammates get open looks, the more that I get to the free throw line, get to the rim. And it just opens up the game for my teammates. And if I'm continuing to get downhill and if they don't help, that makes my job easier. If they do help, it makes my teammates' jobs easier.

Your putback rate is up this year. Is that intentional, or is it just how plays are unfolding?

DF: I mean, we're a smaller team. Like we don't have a super big team. So just knowing that I have to be able to go back and help the bigs rebound is just a point of emphasis for myself. And when I'm able to get rebounds, that makes the break go even quicker because now, you know, the big doesn't have to rebound and throw it to me. I can grab the rebound and push myself and it just allows us to get out and transition a little bit more. So that's more so kind of me having a conscious effort of being able to do that.

You’ve been lethal in transition this year. Has that been the emphasis with DeMar DeRozan there?

DF: Yeah, it makes it easy. And then obviously having somebody like Domas who can grab the rebound and push the ball himself, being able to get a rebound and you don't have to look for a specific person. You have a bunch of guys who you can outlet the ball to and we can get down the court in a hurry. So that's definitely a point of emphasis for our team. We want to play fast on makes and misses. But I think whenever we're getting stops, it makes the game a whole lot easier.

What do you see as the biggest obstacle for the team this season?

DF: I think a lot of it has to do with health and some things that you can't control. So just being able to stay healthy and continue to build our chemistry and then focus on the defensive end. I think whenever we're able to get stops and hold teams to a low percentage of shooting, I think we give ourselves much better chance to win.

What's your take on the reported 35 percent increase in injuries this year?

DF: I think it's crazy. I don't have an opinion about it. Like those things happen. Obviously, we wish injuries weren't a part of sports, but those things happen. And obviously, 99 percent of the time, like you truly can't control it.

Who is your GOAT and why?

DF: What MJ did in 15 years is crazy. But what LeBron's done in his career and is still doing is nuts. I would say Bron, I didn't watch Michael Jordan play, so I'm not going to pick somebody I didn't watch play.

How much were you involved in the design process of Fox 1, and what makes this shoe better than others for a player of your style?

DF: I was extremely involved from step one to the finished product. They would ask me a question, and I'd give them an answer, and then it'd be 30 or 40 different concepts from this one little answer that I gave them. So, just being able to be a part of that process is definitely cool.

I think as a guard, you want to be able to run and stop on a dime and know that your shoe's not just going to slide. And I think that's more UA and Curry Brand specific than it is just my shoe. But I think people, especially guards, would love the feel of the shoe, and just knowing that you have the traction that you truly want. And you never have to worry about slipping. Obviously, unless it's a wet spot, there's nothing you can do about it.

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: De'Aaron Fox: 'What's big about me is I play both sides of the ball'