After four years at Wichita State (including a "shocking" trip to the Final Four," Fred Van Vleet signed as an undrafted Free Agent with the Toronto Raptors in 2016.  Usually, undrafted American players don't make the NBA, but someone forgot to tell Fred Van Vleet.

Van Vleet, who was a two-time MVC Player of the Year, would turn out to be a steal.  The Point Guard appeared in 37 Games as a rookie and 76 in his second year.  Van Vleet saw more action in his third year (2018-19), starting a third of his games and helping Toronto win the NBA Title.

Playing more at Shooting Guard afterward, Van Vleet became a permanent starter after the championship season, elevating his PPG to 17.6 and up to what is currently a career-high of 19.6 in 2020-21, a year in which Toronto slumped, and Van Vleet was required to do more heavy lifting.  Over the last three seasons, Van Vleet has finished in the top ten in both Steals per Game and Minutes per Game, with him cracking 20 Points per Game fo rthe first time last season, with a trip to his first All-Star Game.  VanVleet had another good year with the Raps, approcahing 20 PPG  season with the Raptors, but it would be his last, as he left for Houston via free agency.