Boasting elite speed and a promising perimeter stroke, the Houston standout draws striking comparisons to De’Aaron Fox as Sacramento searches for its next dynamic backcourt engine.
Kingston Flemings has become one of the favorite selections for the Sacramento Kings and has earned comparisons to De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento's former star.
Flemings and Fox share one elite athletic trait: speed. Fast guards are difficult to defend in the NBA, whether on the fast break or in the half-court.
They blow past you with a quick first step and are at the rim in a flash. Sactown Sports 1140's Brendan Nunes has noticed the similarities in the players' skill sets and is always left wondering how fast they're going.
“I think there’s a lot of finishing around the rim. The same superpower of that speed,” Nunes said on "The Matt George" podcast on Monday. “De’Aaron is faster. I just look at their feet now because it’s really hard to gauge how quick these dudes are actually moving.”
Flemings' speed popped at the NBA combine. He had the fourth-fastest lane agility drill result, completing the drill in 10.61 seconds.
While the two share the same "superpower," there is a slight difference in their strengths. Nunes highlighted that Fox was a better finisher as a prospect, while Flemings is the better shooter.
The former Cougar nailed 38.7% of his 2.9 three-point attempts in his lone season at Houston. The volume is low, but the efficiency is promising, especially if Flemings develops into a high-volume three-point shooter.
Fox shot 30.7% on 2.1 attempts in his rookie campaign. He improved the following season by converting 37.1% of his 2.9 attempts. However, the high percentage did not last long.
His three-point volume increased, highlighting an emphasis on Fox relying on his jumper rather than relentlessly attacking defenders with his speed. Fox has shot over five threes per game in six of the last seven seasons.
He shot 7.8 threes in the 2023-24 campaign, knocking down 36.9% of those attempts. Fox's ascension as a shooter is a significant reason he is a consistent scorer, averaging over 20 points for six straight seasons.
Flemings' volume would need to increase to pair a reasonable three-point shooting threat with elite speed. He averaged 16.1 points in his freshman campaign, including a career-high 42-point performance against then-No. 12 Texas Tech.
The 6-foot-4 guard shot 4-for-9 from beyond the arc in that outing. In games in which Flemings scored over 20 points, he shot 50% from three-point range, showcasing the importance of developing a consistent jumpshot.
Nunes said adding a player of Fox's elk would be a huge win for Sacramento, despite not earning a top-four pick in this year's draft. Flemings has become one of the favorite draft picks for Sacramento, and his comparison to Fox suggests that he could be the next lead guard for the team.
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