Fox's Advice for Rookie Acuff: Patience is Key

San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox, a veteran of the Sacramento Kings, recently shared valuable advice with rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Fox, who entered the league as a 19-year-old himself, stressed the importance of patience for young players navigating the demanding NBA landscape. He highlighted the challenges of coaching changes and the search for stability, drawing from his own eight-year tenure in Sacramento.

Acuff Jr., also 19 and a recent Kings draft pick, has shown considerable promise in his initial nine games this 2026-27 season. He is currently averaging 25.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. However, his shot volume has been a point of attention, as he ranks among the league leaders in field-goal attempts.

Both Fox and Acuff Jr. have a connection through coach John Calipari, with Fox playing at Kentucky and Acuff Jr. at Arkansas. Fox acknowledged Acuff Jr.'s scoring ability and expressed excitement for his development, advising him to balance scoring with playmaking to make the game easier. This advice echoes the paths of successful players like Luka Dončić and LeBron James, who improved their scoring as their playmaking advanced.