De'Aaron Fox receives warm welcome back to Sacramento

De'Aaron Fox played his first game in Sacramento on Friday since being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in February.

Fox was drafted by the Kings in 2017 and spent the first seven and a half years of his career in Sacramento. He finished his tenure fourth on the franchise points leaderboard and holds the franchise record for points scored in a single game.

The guard received a warm welcome at the Golden 1 Center, including a first-half tribute video.

Here's a look at other notable happy returns for stars across multiple sports.

NBA

DeMar DeRozan, 2025

Game stats:21 points, 3 assists

Game results:Sacramento Kings win 124-119

DeRozan made a January return to the United Center to face his old team, the Chicago Bulls.

DeRozan spent three seasons with Chicago, averaging 25.5 points, 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds while earning consecutive All-Star honors. The Kings acquired the guard in July in a sign-and-trade deal.

In his own words:"The first moment I came here I tried to give my all to this organization, to the city and I think it showed," DeRozan said after the game. "Genuinely putting everything into representing the Bulls. When I came here, I just think it showed I invited the culture of Chicago, everything. So it showed, I think when people see that, you get the genuine reaction in return."

Karl-Anthony Towns, 2024

Game stats: 32 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists

Game results:New York Knicks win 133-107

Towns made his return to Minnesota to face his old team, the Timberwolves, in December.

The Knicks center was dealt by the Timberwolves days before training camp in September. Drafted No. 1 in 2015, he spent nine seasons with Minnesota. Towns earned four All-Star Game appearances and two All-NBA honors during his tenure with the Timberwolves. He posted a thank you video on social media hours before the game.

Before the contest, the Timberwolves crowd returned the favor with a rousing ovation during a heartfelt video tribute.

In his own words:"Just a lot of memories, moments. I've been honored to play with so many amazing guys and basketball players, and to be able to see them go through their own journeys and their lives and just to have a moment in their lives professionally, it's an honor. I called Minnesota home, a place that welcomed me with open arms and gave me, my family, especially my mother, some of the best memories of my life."

Klay Thompson, 2024

Game stats:22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Game results: Dallas Mavericks lose 120-117

Thompson returned to the Bay Area in November to face his former team, the Golden State Warriors, at Chase Arena.

Dubbed "Salute Captain Klay" night, the Warriors showered Thompson with love throughout the evening, highlighted by a video tribute that aired before his name was announced in the Dallas starting five and fans tipped their caps in respect.

In his words:"I appreciate the fans very much. The captain's hat ended up being a great touch because I'm such a passionate boater. Saw a lot of familiar faces in the crowd, and that was a warmhearted feeling. It was really cool to see the fans, their gratitude towards myself -- and something I'll never take for granted. So it was very, very awesome."

Damian Lillard, 2024

Game stats: 25 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal

Game result:Milwaukee Buckslose119-116

After spending the first 11 years of his career with the Trail Blazers, Lillard played his first game in Portland as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks in January 2024.

Fans gave him a standing ovation when his name was announced in the starting lineups at the Moda Center. The home team also played a video tribute after the first timeout, leading to another ovation for Lillard.