What nationality is Fred VanVleet?

Fred VanVleet may not be the biggest player in the league but he sure knows how to put the ball through the net. He went undrafted but the Toronto Raptors took a chance and signed VanVleet. Many NBA scouts and agents thought that his style of play would not work in the NBA and hence, passed on him. In today’s league, teams require a player to be of an average height who can guard multiple positions and can also have an impact on the offensive end. Looking at VanVleet’s size, he was not an ideal fit for most teams. Shorter players are a liability on the defensive end, and that makes teams hesitant to sign smaller players.

VanVleet attended Wichita State where he was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Some teams in the NBA did want to draft VanVleet but they wanted him to spend time in the G-League and develop for a few more years. He turned down all those offers because he believed in himself. Now, he is an NBA champ and was one of the most essential pieces in the 2019 Raptors’ championship run.

So far in his career VanVleet has averaged 14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game and with a career high of 54, against the Orlando Magic on February 2, 2021. He is also the franchise leader for assists in a single game with 20 assists.

Recently the Rockets signed VanVleet to a 3-year $128 Million deal. This was a huge loss for the Raptors as they lost their best point guard in the roster. With the Rockets, he will bring his championship pedigree to the team and will also serve as a veteran for the young players in the roster. After James Harden left the Rockets, they have been rebuilding ever since. With the addition of players like Fred VanVleet, Dillion Brooks, they may finally start winning more games than they did for the last couple of seasons.

Fred VanVleet’s Nationality

Fred VanVleet is an American, born on 25 February 1994 in Rockford, Illinois, United States. His parents are Susan VanVleet (his mother) and Joe Danforth (his father). Danforth is not VanVleet’s biological father but he pushed him, regardless, to realize his basketball potential. His biological father was shot and killed in a drug deal when VanVleet was just a five year old kid.

Danforth protected VanVleet from the harsh streets and gangs like the Vice Lords and Wacos. He was tough on VanVleet and would do everything to make him better than an average person.

Basketball saved VanVleet’s life and helped him escape his difficult environment. He credits his parents and basketball for everything he has become as a person. VanVleet even called his father Danforth “A blessing,” and said “If he had never come along, who knows what would’ve happened to me.” Via Bleacherreport.com