De'Aaron Fox organizing Houston exhibition basketball game to raise hurricane relief funds

Sacramento Kings rookie De'Aaron Fox is planning an exhibition basketball game in Houston sometime in September to raise funds to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

The game, as Fox described it, may feature both NBA players and overseas professional players. Fox said he is looking to get players who are from Houston to participate in the game as well.

“We're just going to get a venue and just charge for tickets … I don't have all the information yet, but just try to generate as much money as we can just to give back to the community,” said Fox, who grew up in Houston, but was born in New Orleans. Fox had relatives in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina who came and lived with his family in Houston in the aftermath of that storm. “Seeing it happening again, it’s just heartbreaking.”

Both Fox and fellow Kings rookie Justin Jackson both grew up in Houston. Jackson and Fox spoke to the Sacramento media Wednesday about the relief efforts in Houston.

"To see highways that I know both of us drove a ton of times, and to see those underwater and to see houses and streets that we've been around growing up all the time, to see those underwater, it was pretty unbelievable," Jackson said. "For everybody that has been devastated by it and have maybe lost loved ones or even a house, we're definitely praying for them.”

The Sacramento Kings franchise has a whole has been busy this week raising funds to contribute to the American Red Cross Hurricane Harvey relief fund. The franchise, through donations from its Foundation, Kings fans and the team’s corporate sponsors, have helped contribute $100,000 to the effort.

In the future, Kings fans will have the opportunity to donate to the ongoing relief efforts at food kiosks at Golden 1 Center during concerts, games and events. At two upcoming Kings games, including the season opener against the Houston Rockets, the Kings Foundation 50/50 Raffle proceeds will directly benefit the American Red Cross.

For other ways you can help the people of Houston after Hurricane Harvey, click here.

Below is a Public Service Announcement that Fox and Jackson have put out.

UPDATE

The Kings have sent out a press release stating that the game Fox is organizing in Houston will now take place in spring. Below is text from the release:

In the aftermath of devastation left by Hurricane Harvey, Sacramento Kings Rookie De’Aaron Fox has donated $25,000 to the Rice Men's Basketball Flood Relief Fund, part of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's overarching City of Houston's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund--designed to serve the immediate and long-term needs of those impacted by the storm. Additionally, Fox will spearhead a charity basketball game scheduled for the spring to raise additional proceeds toward the effort. Last week, he filmed a PSA calling on fans to donate to the American Red Cross.

"Houston is a strong, resilient community full of amazing people, many who lost everything,” said Fox. “I hope the outpouring of support, prayers, and donations continue as Houston and the Gulf Coast begin to rebuild."

In the coming weeks, details regarding a springtime Houston-based charity basketball game will be announced.