Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association during its annual board of representatives meeting in Las Vegas, the union announced on Saturday. The 31-year-old undrafted American, who helped the Toronto Raptors win the NBA crown in 2019, signed with the Rockets in 2023 and averaged 14.1 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over 60 appearances with Houston last season.
“It’s truly an honor to be elected as president of the NBPA by my peers and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best interest of all the members,” VanVleet said. “With a deep appreciation for the complexities and challenges players face on all levels of their NBA journeys, I am committed to approaching this role with the passion, dignity, and dedication every player deserves.”
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Nine-year NBA veteran VanVleet signed a two-year deal worth $50 million in June to stay with the Rockets. VanVleet’s four-year term as president began immediately, replacing Washington’s C.J. McCollum after his four-year term was completed. McCollum will continue to serve on the executive committee in an advisory capacity. He served on the board as a vice president for three years from 2018-2021 and as president since then, helping the league return from the Covid pandemic in 2020 and completing a new collective bargaining agreement with the NBA in 2023.
“It has been a privilege to serve on the NBPA executive committee for the past seven years and uniquely shape the business of our game,” McCollum said. “I am encouraged by the future of the PA under Fred’s leadership, as he has earned the basketball community’s respect and has proven he’s ready for this next step.”
NBPA executive committee members include Charlotte’s Grant Williams and Mason Plumlee, Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Toronto’s Garrett Temple, New York’s Karl Anthony Towns, and Gabe Vincent of the Los Angeles Lakers.
© 2024 AFP
