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A healthy De’Aaron Fox shines in win over Georgia

Fox getting healthy is how this Kentucky team becomes a true Final Four contender.

SEC Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinals Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

In recent weeks, it’s been tough for De’Aaron Fox to play his best basketball due to lower body injuries, as well as an illness.

His struggles have been a big reason why Kentucky’s offense has looked like a shell of itself. After averaging almost a 100 points per game through January, Kentucky has averaged ‘just’ under 76 points per game since Feb. 11.

During that time, Fox has shot above 40-percent just twice entering Friday. But in a 71-60 SEC Tournament win over Georgia, Fox finally looked healthy again.

The freshman point guard had 20 points, which tied teammate Isaiah Briscoe for a game-high. He did so on 7-12 shooting, including one made three-pointer. Fox also had four assists, three rebounds and a steal.

On a day when Kentucky shot just 38%, they needed that efficiency from Fox. But when looking at his game, you have to go beyond the box score and just watch how good he looked on the floor.

Outstanding body control.

Fox is deadly from mid-range, and his ability to stop and pop is incredible (and what a block by Bam Adebayo).

It’s the weakest part of his game, but when he has that three ball working, there’s nothing you can do to stop him on offense.

Those handles look NBA ready.

So to recap, Fox looks like he’s healthy again. When that’s the case, Kentucky takes a big step closer to being an unstoppable, well-oiled machine on offense. That’s terrifying for not only opponents in this SEC Tournament, but also opponents in the NCAA Tournament.