Born in Toronto, Rick Fox moved to the Bahamas when he was very young. He went to Warsaw Indiana high school as an exchange student and played basketball there. A complaint was filed about his eligibility and it was ruled one of his earlier years in the Bahamas was equivalent to a year of high school. As a result, he was banned from playing his senior year. To keep himself sharp and in playing shape, he still practiced with the team every day. Majored in radio, television, and motion picture sciences and played college basketball at UNC, where he left as the all-time school steals leader and games played leader. Upon graduating, he was selected 24th overall in the NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. After several seasons with the Celtics, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers partly due to its proximity to Hollywood and his interest in acting. While with the Lakers, he helped them win an NBA Championship as a versatile role-player.
Scored 6,000th career point [5 April 1999] Became the first Boston Celtics rookie to start on opening night since Larry Bird in 1979. Signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Lakers [28 August 1997] Has a son, Kyle, by college sweetheart Kari Hillsman. He was introduced to his former wife Vanessa L. Williams by then-girlfriend, supermodel Tyra Banks. When his romance with Banks ended, Fox and Williams began dating. Daughter, Sasha Gabriella Fox, with Vanessa L. Williams, was born 1 May 2000. He and Vanessa L. Williams eloped to the Caribbean in the summer of 1999, but promised family and friends they'd re-tie the knot that fall, which they did in a lavish ceremony at the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York followed by a gala reception at the St. Regis Hotel. Wears #17 for the Lakers for two reasons. He said that while with the Celtics, he entered training camp every year with the goal of helping them win their 17th NBA Championship. Another reason for wearing the number is due to the comparisons to Celtic great John Havlicek. Born on the same day as Jennifer Lopez.