By Josh Ellis

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De’Aaron Fox, the No. 1 point guard in the 2016 class, committed to UK on ESPNU Thursday evening.

“It felt like a family (at UK). When I went on my visit, every fan knew who I was,” said Fox. “Out of any head coach that recruited me, I had the best relationship with coach Cal. That’s what set it apart.”

The Katy, Texas native chose UK over Kansas, Louisville, Arizona and LSU.

He insisted that John Calipari’s long list of successful point guards like John Wall, Brandon Knight, Derek Rose among others also was a factor in choosing the Cats.

“That was also a huge part (of his decision). I went to a couple different schools and asked a couple different point guards that he had, and they said coach Cal is just a great coach to play for,” Fox said.

Fox joins fellow five-star commits Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones in UK’s incoming 2016 class and moves the Cats from having the No. 9 class to the No. 3 class, behind just Duke and Michigan State according to the ESPN.

“This summer he found the balance between scoring and facilitating,” ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi said. “Blazing speed in the open floor, one of the best defenders I’ve seen in high school basketball over the years. (He has) great quickness and anticipation.”

Fox took an official visit to Kansas on Oct. 9, but a week later when the highly-touted point guard visited the extravaganza known as Big Blue Madness UK strengthened its case as the front-runner. Then when Fox announced via Twitter he would make his college decision live on ESPNU Thursday, UK was the overwhelming favorite.

The 6-foot-4 170 pound guard has a well-rounded game and can be referred to as a “do it all” point guard. He can keep his man in front of him defensively and can handle and distribute the ball well offensively.

“He had John Wall type speed. That’s what he reminds me of — a guy who can really put pressure on the defense,” Biancardi said. “De’Aaron Fox pushes it from foul line to foul line within a matter of seconds, he can get into the lane, score and finish.”

UK 2016 Basketball Commits

Wenyen Gabriel No. 4 PF 6’9″ 195 SIGNED 11/11/2015

Sacha Killeya-Jones No. 8 PF 6’10” 207 COMMITTED 8/19/2015

De’Aaron Fox No. 1 PG 6’4″ 170 COMMITTED 11/12/2015

*All player position rankings are according the the 247Sports Composite.