De'Aaron Fox says he'll cheer for Kentucky when the Wildcats play Arkansas

Even De’Aaron Fox believes it was time for John Calipari to move on from Kentucky.

Fox was a recent guest on FanDuel’s Run It Back live show where he was asked about his former college coach and whether or not he’ll cheer for Kentucky (his alma mater) or Arkansas (where Calipari is now head coach) whenever the two teams match up against each other. His answer was music to the ears of Big Blue Nation.

The Sacramento Kings point guard says he’ll continue to bleed blue when the Wildcats and Razorbacks go head-to-head on the hardwood. Fox added that he’ll still root for Calipari and Arkansas — just not against his ‘Cats.

“When they play each other, I definitely still got Kentucky for sure,” Fox said. “It’s funny, at the time — I definitely think it was time (for Calipari to leave UK) — but if you asked me four, five years ago if Cal would ever leave Kentucky I would have told you no.

“Obviously they were struggling to get out of the first round of the (NCAA) tournament. I’m very truthful. I think it was definitely that time but I’m definitely cheering for both, for sure cheering for both. But if they play against each other, I gotta ride with my Wildcats for sure.“

Can someone make Fox the “Y” at Rupp Arena for the Kentucky-Arkansas game on February 1?

"Kentucky was struggling to get out of the first round of the (March Madness) tournament. I'm very truthful, so I think it was definitely time (for a change)."

De'Aaron Fox talks John Calipari leaving Kentucky for Arkansas@swipathefox's full interview: https://t.co/rf97duCjzo pic.twitter.com/D6QnRWR4Q6

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 3, 2024

Fox was also asked another Kentucky-related question: how would he build out his all-time Kentucky starting five? He gave some shout-outs to Jodie Meeks and Jamal Mashburn but decided to stick with just the Calipari-era Kentucky players.

Along with himself, Fox went with Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and Malik Monk to fill out his personal UK starting five. Fox played alongside Adebayo and Monk during their lone season at Kentucky, and he’s currently teammates on the Kings with Monk. Those three alongside Booker and Davis would break every record known to man.