Fredderick Edmund VanVleet Sr., an American professional basketball player who plays as a point guard for the Houston Rockets in the NBA as of April 2025. VanVleet was born on February 25, 1994, in Rockford, Illinois, United States. His going undrafted in 2016 caused him to sign with the Raptors. Initially, playing with the Raptors’ G-League affiliate, VanVleet rose through the ranks and now plays as a full-fledged starter on the Toronto Raptors team. VanVleet came to be recognized for his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. People came to call him a “clutch” player. VanVleet was named to the All-Defensive 2nd team in the 2021 season. He scored 54 points in a single game in the 2021 playoffs, breaking the franchise and NBA record for the most points scored by an undrafted player in a single game in the playoffs. In July 2023, VanVleet signed with the Houston Rockets, and in his second season with the Rockets (2024-25), VanVleet led the team to their first playoff in five seasons.
The guard attended high school at Wichita State University and went undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft in spite of having a good college basketball career. He was named a McDonald's All-American and also won the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year award. VanVleet now must make the choice of which team he wants to play for in the 2023-24 NBA season as free agency looms ahead.
Who are Fred VanVleet's parents?
Fred VanVleet was born on February 25, 1994, in Illinois to Fred Manning and Susan VanVleet.
Fred VanVleet's father
Fred Manning was killed in 1999, leaving VanVleet without a father at the age of five. VanVleet’s stepdad is Joe Danforth. Joe Danforth worked with the police department. However, Danforth always made time for his son, coaching him to be a great point guard.
Fred VanVleet's mother
Susan VanVleet has been a huge source of support for her son. More than his achievements on the court, Susan values her son's journey to achieve success in the NBA. Though both parents attended every game of VanVleet’s whenever possible, financial constraints often denied him their presence at his games. VanVleet has shown through his comments that he will be eternally grateful for all that his parents have done for him.
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FAQs on Fred VanVleet
A. Fred VanVleet’s father, Fred Manning, was shot and killed while being involved in a drug deal in 1999 when VanVleet was 5 years old. VanVleet found a father in Joe Danforth, his step-father, who trained him to be the best version of himself and strive to be great.
A. VanVleet broke the single-game franchise record for assists and points after having dished out 20 assists in one game. The point guard’s 20-20 game was only the 4th in Raptors' history and the only one combining points and assists. All other 20-20 games were a combination of points and rebounds.
A. Fred VanVleet has played for the Toronto Raptors till June 2023 and as of April 2025 plays for the Houston Rockets.
A. Fred VanVleet is 6 feet tall.
