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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 21: Malik Monk to the Sixers

By Chris Stone

Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) brings the ball up court against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) brings the ball up court against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (left) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (left) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about De’Aaron Fox at The Step Back.

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8

De'Aaron Fox

PG, Kentucky

De’Aaron Fox’s biggest problem is his inability to shoot. He made just 24.6 percent of his 3s this season and struggled from the mid-range. That deficiency is an important to Fox’s future success as any other deficiency is to any other player in this draft class and it was on full display during the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Against UCLA in the Sweet Sixteen, Fox dominated to the tune of 39 points on just 20 shots. He went to the foul line 15 times in the win. The Bruins — for some unknown reason — tried to fight over screens to stay with Fox and the Kentucky guard punished them by attacking their bigs off the dribble. Just one of his 20 field goal attempts came from behind the 3-point arc as he dominated the game en route to an Elite Eight appearance.

There, though, things changed. North Carolina defended Fox differently in the pick-and-roll by going under screens and allowing him to take jumpers at his leisure. Fox hoisted four 3s in the loss, uncharacteristically making two of them. He finished with just 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field and one trip to the free throw line.

If Fox can’t punish teams for going under ball screens, he’ll struggle to make an impact offensively in the NBA and performances like this one will become the norm. If he can knock those shots down and open up the game, then the Fox we saw against UCLA has a higher probability of developing.

Learn more about De’Aaron Fox at The Step Back.