From Houston to the NBA: Local athletes hoping to hear their name called during draft

De'Aaron Fox talks to ABC13's Greg Bailey about the NBA Draft.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For many athletes, the NBA Draft represents the accumulation of hard work, perseverance and the exclamation point on a lifelong dream. Two local stars heard their name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Thursday night at the Barclays Center.

De'Aaron Fox
With the fifth pick, the Sacramento Kings selected Houston's own De'Aaron Fox. From the courts of Cypress Lakes High School to the University of Kentucky, Fox is set to be an elite point guard at the next level.

During his freshman season with Kentucky, Fox averaged 16.7 points per game and led the team with 165 assists and 53 steals.

RELATED: De'Aaron Fox making it look easy on the court at Cy-Lakes

Cy Lakes Senior De'Aaron Fox

For Cy Lakes High School senior De'Aaron Fox, it was his first 17 and under game as a 14-year-old that really opened his eyes.

In an interview with ESPN, Fox said he is the best guard in the NBA Draft.

"I feel like I can go at anybody," he said.

De'Aaron Fox, center, from Kentucky, listens to a question at the NBA draft basketball combine Friday, May 12, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)AP

NBA Draftee De'Aaron Fox signs basketballs for fans of the YMCA's Leaders Club at the JCPenney "Suit It Forward." (Stuart Ramson/AP Images for JCPenney)AP

Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox (0) shoots over Wichita State forward Rashard Kelly (0) during the second half. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)AP

Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox cuts down the net after Kentucky beat Arkansas in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the SEC tournament. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)AP

Kentucky guard De'Aaron Fox guards the ball against UCLA in the second half. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP

Baylor forward Johnathan Motley (5) reacts after scoring against South Carolina in the first half of an East Regional semifinal game. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP

Baylor forward Johnathan Motley (5) puts up a shot against South Carolina guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) in the first half. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)AP

North Carolina forward Justin Jackson (44) loses the ball against Kentucky forward Isaac Humphries (15) in the first half of the South Regional final game. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)AP

Oregon guard Tyler Dorsey, left, fights for a loose ball with North Carolina forward Justin Jackson during the second half. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)AP

North Carolina forward Justin Jackson talks on his cell phone in the locker room after the championship game against Gonzaga. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP

Justin Jackson, center, from North Carolina, listens to a question at the NBA draft basketball combine Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)AP

Justin Jackson
Tomball's Justin Jackson was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 15th pick. The Trail Blazers are expected to send Jackson to Sacramento in a trade. During the 2016-17 season at North Carolina, Jackson averaged 18.3 points per game.

Note: Statistics from ESPN.com were used in this report.

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