Fred VanVleet is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Undrafted out of Wichita State, VanVleet proved himself through hard work and determination. He played a key role for the Toronto Raptors, helping them win the NBA championship in 2019. Known for his toughness, playmaking, shooting ability, and defensive tenacity, VanVleet emerged as a reliable point guard. In 2022, he was named an NBA All-Star. He signed with the Houston Rockets in 2023.
On February 25, 1994, Fredderick Edmund VanVleet Sr. was born in Rockford, Illinois.
In 1999, Fred VanVleet's father, Fred Manning, passed away, leaving a lasting impact on his life.
On November 9, 2016, Fred VanVleet made his official NBA debut, playing briefly in a victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In April 2017, Fred VanVleet was a member of the Raptors 905 championship-winning team in the NBA Development League, marking an early career achievement.
On November 25, 2017, Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 16 points against the Indiana Pacers, marking a significant early career milestone.
During January 2018, Fred VanVleet twice set new career highs in points, first against the Cleveland Cavaliers with 22 points and later against the Los Angeles Lakers with 25 points, showcasing his growing offensive capabilities.
On January 29, 2018, Fred VanVleet's daughter was born, marking a significant personal life event.
On July 6, 2018, Fred VanVleet re-signed with the Toronto Raptors, continuing his tenure with the team.
On December 9, 2018, Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 19 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
On May 20, 2019, Fred VanVleet's son was born during the Raptors' Eastern Conference Finals series against the Milwaukee Bucks, coinciding with a crucial time in his career.
In 2019, Fred VanVleet played a crucial role as a bench player for the Raptors during their NBA playoff run, contributing significantly to their first NBA Championship victory, particularly with his performance in the Eastern Conference Finals and defensive efforts against Stephen Curry in the NBA Finals.
In 2019, Fred VanVleet started a streak of consecutive regular-season games with a made 3-point shot.
In 2019, Fred VanVleet won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, marking a significant triumph in his career.
On January 4, 2020, Fred VanVleet scored 29 points, including 22 in the second half, and achieved a season-high 11 assists, helping the Raptors overcome a 16-point deficit to defeat the Brooklyn Nets.
In November 2020, Fred VanVleet signed a four-year, US$85 million deal to remain with the Toronto Raptors, marking a significant financial milestone as the largest contract for an undrafted free agent at the time.
On January 4, 2021, Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 35 points while playing against the Boston Celtics.
On November 3, 2021, Fred VanVleet launched the "Bet On Yourself" podcast in conjunction with Acast, focusing on conversations with up-and-coming Black Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs in Canada about perseverance, struggles, and success.
On November 18, 2021, Fred VanVleet extended his streak of consecutive games with at least three three-point shots made to eight, achieving this against the Utah Jazz by making three-point shots on three consecutive possessions.
On December 31, 2021, Fred VanVleet scored 31 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, beginning a streak of high-scoring games.
On January 4, 2022, Fred VanVleet continued his streak of high-scoring games with 33 points against the San Antonio Spurs.
On April 3, 2022, Fred VanVleet broke Kyle Lowry's Raptors record for most 3-pointers in a season vs. the Miami Heat.
In 2022, Fred VanVleet was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game, recognizing his achievements and performance in the league.
On April 2, 2023, Fred VanVleet achieved a career-high and Raptors-record of 20 assists, along with 20 points, in a victory over the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the sole owner of the franchise's single-game record for both assists and points.
In June 2023, Fred VanVleet declined his $22.8 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2023 offseason, exploring new opportunities in his career.
On July 7, 2023, Fred VanVleet signed with the Houston Rockets, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.