Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Fred VanVleet

How Fred VanVleet built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Fred VanVleet is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Known for his undrafted success story, VanVleet rose from a G League player to a key contributor for the Toronto Raptors, playing a vital role in their 2019 NBA Championship run. He is recognized for his point guard skills, including scoring, playmaking, and defensive tenacity. In 2022, he was named an NBA All-Star. In 2023, he signed with the Houston Rockets.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Worst Start to a Season

In 2007-08, Wichita had its worst start to a season

2008: Two Games Under .500

In 2008-2009 Wichita State fell to two games under .500

2012: Accepted Offer to Play for Wichita State

In 2012, Fred VanVleet accepted an offer to play basketball for Wichita State University.

2012: VanVleet Contributed to Wichita State Shockers

In 2012, Fred VanVleet contributed to a resurgence of Wichita State Shockers basketball.

2012: All-State Selection and IHSA Final Four Appearance

In 2012, Fred VanVleet was an All-State first-team selection and helped lead Auburn High School to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) final four.

2012: VanVleet Comes off the Bench

In 2012, the team had its first three-game losing streak since Fred VanVleet came off the bench

2012: Season of NCAA Tournament

In the 2012-13 season Fred VanVleet Contributed to Wichita State reaching the final four in the NCAA tournament

2013: Wichita State Shockers Reached Final Four

In 2013, Fred VanVleet contributed to Wichita State Shockers basketball that included a Final Four run.

2013: Led Team to First 31-0 Regular Season

In 2013-2014, Fred VanVleet helped lead the team to the first 31–0 regular season in NCAA Division I men's basketball history.

2013: Double-Digit Scoring in NCAA Tournament

In the 2013 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Fred VanVleet contributed double-digit scoring twice, helping the Wichita State Shockers reach the final four.

2014: Named NCAA All-American

In 2014, Fred VanVleet was named as a NCAA Men's Basketball All-American by a variety of media outlets. The Wichita State Shockers also had an undefeated regular season.

2014: Named MVC Player of the Year and All-American

In 2014, as a result of leading the team to the first 31-0 regular season, Fred VanVleet was named to the MVC All-Conference first team, selected as the MVC Men's Basketball Player of the Year, and named as an NCAA Men's Basketball All-American.

2015: Assists per Game Leader

In 2015, Fred VanVleet repeated as the MVC in assists per game (5.23) leader.

November 9, 2016: League Debut

On November 9, 2016, Fred VanVleet made his official league debut.

2016: Signed with Toronto Raptors

After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, Fred VanVleet signed with the Toronto Raptors.

2016: Led Team to Victories

In the 2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Fred VanVleet led the team to victories over Vanderbilt and Arizona.

April 2017: Member of Raptors 905 Championship Team

In April 2017, Fred VanVleet was a member of Raptors 905's championship-winning team.

November 25, 2017: Career-high 16 points against the Indiana Pacers

On November 25, 2017, Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 16 points against the Indiana Pacers.

2017: Won Championship with Raptors 905

In 2017, Fred VanVleet was a member of Raptors 905's championship team.

January 2018: New career highs in points

During January 2018, Fred VanVleet twice posted new career highs in points, scoring 22 against the Cleveland Cavaliers and 25 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

July 6, 2018: Re-signed with the Raptors

On July 6, 2018, Fred VanVleet re-signed with the Toronto Raptors.

December 9, 2018: Season-high 19 points against the Milwaukee Bucks

On December 9, 2018, Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 19 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

2019: Consecutive regular-season games streak with a made 3-point shot

During the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 regular seasons, Fred VanVleet had a streak of consecutive regular-season games with a made 3-point shot.

2019: NBA Championship

In 2019, Fred VanVleet played an important defensive role against Stephen Curry during the NBA Finals that saw him utilized in a box-and-one defense. In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, VanVleet scored a playoff career-high 22 points with five three-pointers off the bench in a 114–110 series-clinching victory, thus helping the Raptors win their first NBA championship in franchise history. He came second place in NBA Finals MVP voting to Kawhi Leonard.

January 4, 2020: 29 points and a season-high 11 assists against the Brooklyn Nets

On January 4, 2020, Fred VanVleet scored 29 points, including 22 in the second half, and had a season-high 11 assists, contributing to a comeback victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

November 2020: Four-year, US$85-million deal with the Raptors

In November 2020, Fred VanVleet signed a four-year, US$85 million deal to remain with the Toronto Raptors. The $85 million contract was the largest ever for an undrafted free agent until Duncan Robinson signed a five-year $90 million deal the following year.

January 4, 2021: Season-high 35 points against the Boston Celtics

On January 4, 2021, Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 35 points with six three-pointers in a loss to the Boston Celtics.

November 18, 2021: Extended streak of consecutive games with at least three three-point shots made

On November 18, 2021, Fred VanVleet extended his streak of consecutive games with at least three three-point shots made against the Utah Jazz.

December 31, 2021: Scored 31 points against the Los Angeles Clippers

On December 31, 2021, Fred VanVleet scored 31 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, beginning a streak of three consecutive games scoring 30 or more points.

January 4, 2022: Scored 33 points against the San Antonio Spurs

On January 4, 2022, Fred VanVleet scored 33 points against the San Antonio Spurs, marking his third consecutive game with 30 or more points.

April 3, 2022: Broke Raptors record for most 3-pointers in a season

On April 3, 2022, Fred VanVleet broke Kyle Lowry's Raptors record for most 3-pointers in a season (238) while playing against Lowry as he was on the court during the game against the Miami Heat. VanVleet finished the season with 242 in 65 games played.

2022: Named to First NBA All-Star Game

In 2022, Fred VanVleet was named to his first NBA All-Star Game.

April 2, 2023: Career-high and Raptors-record 20 assists

On April 2, 2023, Fred VanVleet recorded a career-high and Raptors-record 20 assists, along with 20 points, five rebounds and three steals in a victory over the Charlotte Hornets.