Fred VanVleet is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Prior to this, he played college basketball for Wichita State. VanVleet is known for his skilled ball-handling, passing, and shooting abilities.
1975: Auburn High School's Historic Basketball Run
In 1975, Auburn High School achieved a historic milestone by reaching the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) final four, a feat that had not been accomplished since 1975. This marked a significant moment in the school's basketball history and demonstrated the team's talent and determination.
1979: Introduction of Seeding in NCAA Tournament
In 1979, a pivotal change was implemented in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament with the introduction of seeding. This system aimed to create a more balanced and competitive tournament by ranking teams based on their performance and strength of schedule.
1985: NCAA Tournament Expansion
The year 1985 marked a significant change in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament with its expansion to 64 teams. This expansion increased the competitiveness and excitement of the tournament, providing more opportunities for teams like Wichita State to make a deep run.
February 25, 1994: Birth of Fred VanVleet
On February 25, 1994, Fredderick Edmund VanVleet Sr. was born.
1994: John Starks Becomes First Undrafted Player in the Modern NBA Era to be Named an All-Star
In 1994, John Starks made history by becoming the first undrafted player in the modern NBA era to earn an NBA All-Star selection.
1999: Death of Fred VanVleet's Father
In 1999, Fred VanVleet experienced the loss of his father, Fred Manning. Fred Manning had a basketball background, having played at Guilford High School in Rockford.
2003: Ben Wallace and Brad Miller Become Second and Third Undrafted Players in the Modern NBA Era to be Named All-Stars
In 2003, Ben Wallace and Brad Miller both earned NBA All-Star selections. This achievement made them the second and third undrafted players in the modern NBA era to receive this honor.
2007: Wichita State's worst start to a season since 2007
The Wichita State Shockers basketball team had a difficult start to a season in 2007-2008, marking their worst start since that season.
2008: Wichita State's first three-game losing streak since 2008
The 2008-2009 Wichita State basketball team marked the first time the team had a three-game losing streak since the 2007-2008 season.
2012: Wichita State's worst start to a season since 2007 and first three-game losing streak since 2012
The Wichita State Shockers basketball team struggled in the 2012-2013 season, enduring their worst start to a season since the 2007-2008 season and their first three-game losing streak since Fred VanVleet came off the bench.
2012: VanVleet Commits to Wichita State
In 2012, VanVleet made the significant decision to commit to Wichita State, becoming a highly-ranked player to join the Missouri Valley Conference school.
2012: VanVleet's Freshman Season at Wichita State
In 2012, VanVleet began his freshman season at Wichita State, embarking on his collegiate basketball career. This marked the beginning of his journey with the Shockers.
2012: VanVleet's Rise at Wichita State
In 2012, Fred VanVleet began making significant contributions to the Wichita State Shockers basketball team. His performance during the 2012-2013 season helped the Shockers reach the Final Four.
2012: VanVleet's High School Basketball Success
As a senior at Auburn High School in 2012, VanVleet achieved All-State first team recognition, leading his team to a significant winning streak and a third-place finish in the IHSA state tournament.
2013: VanVleet's Impact in the NCAA Tournament
During the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, VanVleet showcased his scoring ability, notably contributing double-digit points against Gonzaga and Ohio State. His performance played a role in the Shockers' journey to the Final Four.
2013: VanVleet's Continued Success at Wichita State
In 2013, VanVleet continued to excel at Wichita State. His contributions were instrumental in the team's successful run to the Final Four in the 2012-2013 season.
2013: Start of Wichita State's Historic Run
In 2013, Wichita State embarked on an incredible journey, marking the beginning of their historic run that would culminate in an undefeated regular season.
January 23, 2014: VanVleet Named to Oscar Robertson Award Watchlist
VanVleet's exceptional performance during the 2013-2014 season earned him a spot on the prestigious Oscar Robertson Award midseason watchlist, a testament to his emergence as a top player in college basketball.
February 24, 2014: Wichita State Shockers Featured on Sports Illustrated Cover
The Wichita State Shockers, led by their standout players, including VanVleet, graced the cover of Sports Illustrated on February 24, 2014. This recognition highlighted their remarkable undefeated run and solidified their status as a dominant force in college basketball.
2014: VanVleet's Stellar Junior Year and National Recognition
In 2014, VanVleet helped lead the Wichita State Shockers to an undefeated regular season. He received numerous accolades, including being named an NCAA Men's Basketball All-American.
2014: VanVleet's Historic Sophomore Season at Wichita State
In 2014, VanVleet played a crucial role in Wichita State's historic achievement of completing the first 31-0 regular season in NCAA Division I men's basketball history. His outstanding contributions led to numerous accolades, including being named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and receiving All-American recognition.
2015: VanVleet Participates in Team USA Tryouts for Pan American Games
In 2015, Fred VanVleet was among the 22 players selected to try out for the 12-man Team USA roster that would compete in the Pan American Games. Although he was one of the 16 finalists, he was not ultimately selected for the final team.
2015: VanVleet's Record-Breaking Season
VanVleet continued to excel in 2015, achieving several milestones including tying a school record for steals, recording his first career double-double, and breaking the all-time Wichita State career assist record. He led the Shockers to the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title and delivered strong performances in the NCAA Tournament.
November 9, 2016: VanVleet makes his NBA debut
Fred VanVleet made his official NBA debut on November 9, 2016, playing briefly in a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2016: VanVleet leads Wichita State to victories in the NCAA Tournament
In the 2016 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, Fred VanVleet led Wichita State to victories over Vanderbilt and Arizona.
2016: VanVleet signs with the Toronto Raptors
Despite not being selected in the 2016 NBA draft, Fred VanVleet signed a multi-year deal with the Toronto Raptors on July 18, 2016.
2016: VanVleet Signs with Toronto Raptors
Despite going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, VanVleet signed with the Toronto Raptors, marking the beginning of his professional career in the NBA.
April 2017: VanVleet wins D-League championship with Raptors 905
During his rookie season, Fred VanVleet split his time between the Toronto Raptors and their D-League affiliate, Raptors 905. He was part of the Raptors 905 team that won the D-League championship in April 2017.
November 25, 2017: VanVleet scores a career-high 16 points against the Pacers
Fred VanVleet achieved a career-high 16 points while playing against the Indiana Pacers on November 25, 2017.
2017: VanVleet's G League Success
In 2017, Fred VanVleet played a pivotal role in the Raptors 905's championship win in the G League.
January 2018: VanVleet sets new career-highs in points twice
Fred VanVleet achieved new career-highs in points twice in January 2018. First, on January 11th, he scored 22 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and then on January 28th, he scored 25 points against the Los Angeles Lakers.
January 29, 2018: Birth of Fred VanVleet's Daughter
Fred VanVleet welcomed his daughter into the world on January 29, 2018.
July 6, 2018: VanVleet re-signs with the Raptors
Fred VanVleet re-signed with the Toronto Raptors on July 6, 2018.
December 9, 2018: VanVleet scores a season-high 19 points against the Bucks
Fred VanVleet scored a season-high 19 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 9, 2018, despite the Raptor's loss.
May 20, 2019: Birth of Fred VanVleet's Son
Fred VanVleet's son was born on May 20, 2019, during a pivotal moment in the Raptors' playoff run—the Eastern Conference Finals series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
2019: VanVleet wins NBA championship with the Raptors
Fred VanVleet played a crucial role as a bench player for the Toronto Raptors during their playoff run in 2019. The Raptors went on to win their first NBA championship in franchise history that year.
2019: VanVleet Wins NBA Championship with Toronto Raptors
In 2019, VanVleet achieved a significant milestone by winning the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, solidifying his place as a key player in the team.
2019: VanVleet's Consecutive Regular Season Games Streak with a Made 3-pointer
During the 2019-20 and 2020-21 regular seasons, Fred VanVleet had an impressive streak of 76 consecutive regular season games with at least one made 3-point shot. This streak included games 23 through 54 of the 2019-20 season and games 1 through 44 of the 2020-21 season.
January 4, 2020: VanVleet Leads Raptors to Comeback Victory with 29 Points and 11 Assists
On January 4, 2020, Fred VanVleet played a key role in the Toronto Raptors' 16-point comeback win against the Brooklyn Nets. He scored 29 points, with 22 of those points coming in the second half, and dished out a season-high 11 assists.
November 2020: VanVleet Signs Four-Year, $85 Million Contract with Raptors
In November 2020, Fred VanVleet signed a four-year contract extension with the Toronto Raptors worth US$85 million. This deal made history as the largest ever for an undrafted free agent in the NBA at that time.
January 4, 2021: VanVleet Scores Season-High 35 Points in Loss to Celtics
On January 4, 2021, Fred VanVleet had a strong offensive performance despite the Toronto Raptors' 126-114 loss to the Boston Celtics. He scored a season-high 35 points and made six three-pointers.
January 6, 2021: VanVleet Sets Franchise Record for Consecutive Games with a Three-Pointer
Fred VanVleet set a new franchise record for the Toronto Raptors on January 6, 2021, by making a three-pointer in his 39th consecutive regular season game. He surpassed the previous record of 38 games held by C.J. Miles.
December 31, 2021: VanVleet Starts Scoring Streak with 31 Points Against the Clippers
On December 31, 2021, Fred VanVleet began a scoring streak by recording 31 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. This marked the beginning of three consecutive games where he would score 30 or more points.
January 4, 2022: VanVleet Continues Scoring Streak with 33 Points Against the Spurs
Fred VanVleet continued his impressive scoring streak on January 4, 2022, by contributing 33 points against the San Antonio Spurs. This game marked the third consecutive game where he achieved a 30-point performance.
January 7, 2022: VanVleet Achieves First Career Triple-Double in Comeback Win Over Jazz
On January 7, 2022, Fred VanVleet showcased his versatility by recording his first career triple-double. He tallied 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, with 24 of those points coming in the third quarter alone, leading the Toronto Raptors to a remarkable 122-108 comeback victory over the Utah Jazz.
April 3, 2022: VanVleet Breaks Raptors Franchise Record for Most 3-Pointers in a Season
On April 3, 2022, Fred VanVleet etched his name in the Toronto Raptors' record books by surpassing Kyle Lowry's franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a single season. Facing off against Lowry himself, who was then playing for the Miami Heat, VanVleet broke the record of 238 three-pointers. He finished the season with an impressive 242 three-pointers made in 65 games played.
2022: VanVleet's First NBA All-Star Game Selection
VanVleet's outstanding performance earned him a well-deserved selection to his first NBA All-Star game in 2022, recognizing his growth and impact as a player.
April 2, 2023: VanVleet Sets Raptors Franchise Records with 20 Assists and 20 Points in a Single Game
On April 2, 2023, Fred VanVleet delivered a historic performance, setting new franchise records for the Toronto Raptors. In a resounding 128-108 victory against the Charlotte Hornets, he dished out a career-high and Raptors-record 20 assists, to go along with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. With this accomplishment, VanVleet became the sole record holder for both assists and points in a single game for the Raptors franchise.
June 2023: VanVleet Declines Player Option, Entering Free Agency
In June 2023, Fred VanVleet made a significant career decision by declining his $22.8 million player option with the Toronto Raptors. This decision made him an unrestricted free agent, giving him the flexibility to explore other opportunities in the league.
July 7, 2023: VanVleet Signs with the Houston Rockets
On July 7, 2023, Fred VanVleet officially signed with the Houston Rockets, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.