NCAA: Today’s Sports World Needs More Players Like Fred VanVleet
There’s a simple eight-word message gracing the Twitter profile page of Wichita State Shockers junior point guard Fred VanVleet.
Although he is coming off an excellent sophomore season while running the show for one of the nation’s best teams last year, that one-line note doesn’t boast of VanVleet’s prowess on the basketball court or show the Shockers’ playmaker in a grandiose, self-absorbed light that many athletes would choose to show themselves to the world.
Instead, the message reads, “Changing the world one day at a time.”
It’s poignant example of a player who cares as much about maintaining his responsibility of being a good role model as he does with continuing to lead the Wichita State men’s basketball program to new heights on the floor.
"Last week, VanVleet shared some positive advice on Twitter, saying “Good energy seeks other good energy.. real energy seeks other real energy… the result is a beautiful chemistry that can’t be created #fact” before asking, “You ever be around a negative person and it just mess your whole vibe up? Or vice-versa? It’s a reason why..surround yourself with good ppl.”"
The next day, VanVleet sat on the edge of an auditorium stage and inspired a group of 500 middle schoolers. This very flattering critique, and this one, and another captured the power behind VanVleet’s words for that group of kids.
"On Tuesday, former ABA and NBA player, and well-known college basketball television analyst Len Elmore chimed in, calling VanVleet “an outstanding example of [a] student-athlete leader,” while adding, “[We] need more like him!”"
Two years ago, as the backup point guard during the Shockers’ surprise Final Four run, VanVleet wasn’t receiving the national acclaim that he is now.
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Of course, that will tend to happen with an increased role and a sharp rise in production as on a great team.
As a redshirt freshman, VanVleet scored just 4.3 points on 38.6 percent shooting, while recording 2.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game.
But moved to the starting role as a sophomore, VanVleet was among the country’s finest point guards last year, as his production and level of efficiency spiked to 11.6 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting, to go along with 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals and only 1.3 turnovers.
He also increased his free throw shooting significantly (from 72.5 percent during his first year, to 83 percent last season) while shooting a lot more at the line (he went from averaging just one free throw attempt as a rookie, to taking 3.8 last year).
All of that while guarding opposing point guards and running an offense for a team that produced the first undefeated regular season and top NCAA tournament seed in Wichita State history a year ago.
Perhaps deservedly VanVleet was recently named a preseason All-American, a notion which humbles the modest, 20-year-old Illinois native.
"“It takes a little while for it to sink-in,” VanVleet told CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish, before saying, “I think I’m humble and smart enough to realize people are only going to care about me for a certain amount of time.”"
Big things are once again expected for VanVleet and the Shockers this upcoming season.
Sports Illustrated’s Brian Hamilton highly praised VanFleet’s performance last year, and lists both he and his teammate Ron Baker among the nation’s top 20 guards heading into the 2014-15 season.
However, none of that will go to VanVleet’s head as he will likely keep working hard and continue to improve.
With a stocky 204 pounds on his 5-foot-11 frame, VanFleet is tied for being the shortest player on Wichita State’s roster for the 2014-15 season. But expect VanVleet’s talent and tremendous heart to overcome his lack of height, just like last year, when he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.
Any further success doesn’t figure to change VanFleet, who quite refreshingly, fully embraces using the stage he is on to do some good for others.
It’s especially noteworthy that at a time when the NFL is frighteningly running rampant with top stars and others being tied to horrific assault charges, and when other college basketball players sadly followed along similar paths, VanVleet chose to be a positive leader for local, impressionable youth.
“All I’m trying to do is give the kids something else and show them that they can do it even if they don’t feel like they can,” he told Parrish. “And I want to show them how to do it if they don’t already know how.”
"“All I’m trying to do is give the kids something else and show them that they can do it even if they don’t feel like they can,” he told Parrish. “And I want to show them how to do it if they don’t already know how.”"
At Coleman Middle School, VanVleet gave his young audience some needed hope for their respective futures.
"“There’s no reason why you can’t be that 1%,” he told them. “And there’s no reason why you can’t chase your dreams.”"
What a novel idea, giving kids a reason to chase their dreams over letting them hear of more unfortunate nightmares.
In the wake of stories like the ones involving Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and far too many others, it’s exactly what college basketball and sports in general need right now.