As the 1995-96 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Derek Fisher left Arkansas-Little Rock ranked second in points, assists, and steals. Following his senior season he was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 24th pick in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft. As a rookie, Fisher saw action in 80 games while making three starts, and being selected to the Schick Rookie Game. Over the next several years Derek would work his way into the starting lineup, and on a team that has seen many point guards come and go, Derek has remained a fixture.

Over his eight seasons with the Lakers, Derek Fisher has hit many memorable shots, but none has been bigger than his most recent heroics against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2nd Round of the 2004 Playoffs, in what many called the Lakers turning point. With barely enough time left on the clock to fully catch the ball, Fisher nailed a fade away jump shot over the out-stretched arms of Spurs guard Manu Ginobili to give the Lakers the win and the momentum for the remainder of the playoffs. Derek Fisher's presence was once again felt in the Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves as he provided much needed sparks off the bench to help catapult the Lakers into the 2004 NBA Finals.