Fred VanVleet

Undrafted underdog who became an NBA champion with Toronto and one of the most beloved point guards of his generation.

Fredderick Edmund VanVleet Sr. was born on 25 February 1994 in Rockford, Illinois, to Susan VanVleet and Fred Manning. When VanVleet was five, his father was shot and killed in a drug deal, a trauma that briefly sent him toward trouble in a city with a significant gang presence before his mother's remarriage to Joe Danforth, a veteran police officer and Army veteran, provided the stability and discipline that redirected his path. VanVleet starred at Auburn High School before playing four seasons at Wichita State University, winning two Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year awards and leading the Shockers to an undefeated regular season in 2013-14. VanVleet went undrafted in 2016 but earned a roster spot with the Toronto Raptors, developing into a key contributor renowned for his toughness and clutch shooting. He played a pivotal role in the Raptors' 2019 NBA championship run, finishing second in Finals MVP voting, and earned his first All-Star selection in 2022. VanVleet signed with the Houston Rockets in 2023, continuing his career as one of the league's most respected veteran guards, and has donated to fund a sports performance complex at his alma mater, Wichita State, honouring a journey that began with tragedy and was steadied by his stepfather's relentless work ethic.

Clutch shooter, defensive guard, floor general

Symbol of perseverance, key contributor to Toronto's first NBA title

• NBA Champion 2019