Fred VanVleet
An undrafted point guard who willed himself into an NBA champion and the president of the players' union.
Born 1994 (age 32)·American basketball player·Birthday: February 25·Millennials
Biography
Fred VanVleet's story is a masterclass in self-belief. Coming out of Wichita State, he was overlooked in the 2016 NBA draft, deemed too small and not athletic enough. He signed a humble deal with the Toronto Raptors and clawed his way from the G League to the end of the bench, and finally into the team's heart. His defining moment came in the 2019 NBA Finals, where his clutch shooting off the bench earned him a Finals MVP vote and helped deliver Toronto its first championship. VanVleet parlayed that grit into a massive contract and a starting role, all while maintaining a steady, cerebral style of play. His peers recognized his intelligence and integrity, electing him president of the National Basketball Players Association, where he advocates for the next generation of overlooked talent.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Fred was born in 1994, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Fred Was Born
The biggest hits of 1994
#1 Movie
The Lion King
Best Picture
Forrest Gump
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Fred's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1994Born
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1999Started school
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2007Became a teenager
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Could drive
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2012Could vote
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Turned 21
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2024Turned 30
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 32 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, receiving one vote for the Finals MVP award.
- Signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the Houston Rockets in 2023, the largest ever for an undrafted player.
- Elected president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) in 2023.
- Set the Toronto Raptors single-game record for three-pointers made with 11 in a 2021 game against the Orlando Magic.
Did You Know?
He famously coined the phrase 'Bet on Yourself,' which became his personal brand and the title of his documentary.
VanVleet and his partner had their first child, Fred Jr., during his rookie season in the NBA G League.
He wears jersey number 23 in honor of his father, who was murdered when VanVleet was five years old.
In college, he led Wichita State to an undefeated regular season and a Final Four appearance in 2013.
“Bet on yourself. That's all I've ever done.”
