Truth is Fred VanVleet’s journey did not start on Draft Night in 2016, it didn’t start when he first arrived at Witchita State, and it certainly didn’t start when he was signed by the Toronto Raptors.
Fred VanVleet’s journey started during his childhood, growing up in Rockford, Illinois. At the young age of five, VanVleet’s father, Fred Manning, was shot to death in a drug deal. Imagine being 5-year-olds, hearing this news. Fred needed someone to lift him back up and show him the path to success. That someone ended up being Fred’s stepfather.
A veteran police officer, Joe Danforth worked VanVleet to the ground, instilling that incredible work ethic that Raptors fans love so much.