USA Today via Reuters
Feb 2, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 2, 2021; Orlando, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors have done an outstanding job with player development in recent years. Late first-round picks, second-round picks, and even undrafted players have improved a lot during their stint with the Raptors. One of the best examples of this is their undrafted guard, Fred VanVleet.
Tonight, he had the performance of a lifetime, as he scored a record-breaking 54 points against the Orlando Magic. He set the record for the most points scored in a single game in Raptors history, eclipsing DeMar DeRozan’s 52 points. He also had the most points scored by an undrafted player in a single game, beating Moses Malone’s record from 1960.
Fred VanVleet sets a Raptors record for most points scored in a single game.
He sets the record for most points scored in a game by an undrafted player.
AND he’s the first player in Raptors history to score 50 points in a road game.
Legendary. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/cskUg5bOZl
— Alykhan Khamisa Ravjiani (@AlykhanKR) February 3, 2021
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If those two records weren’t enough, he also became the first Raptor to score 50 points in a road game. During this outstanding display, VanVleet shot 17-23 from the floor and 11-14 from three. He was also perfect from the charity stripe, going 9-9. Nothing could stop him tonight, as he led the Raptors to a 15 point win.
Fred VanVleet’s journey from an undrafted player to champion with Raptors
After being undrafted in 2016, VanVleet started his journey with the Raptors G-League outfit. Impressive displays with the Raptors 905, including a title, earned him a place in the Raptors rotation.
He played just eight minutes per game in his first season and showed some promising signs with his shooting. He had a minutes boost next season, playing 20 minutes off the bench while shooting 41% from three. The departure of DeRozan freed up the shooting guard spot next season, so he was able to get a few starts under his belt in the regular season.
During the playoffs, VanVleet was back to his sixth-man role. He contributed with his defense in the earlier rounds, but then during the Conference Finals, he received a major boost. His son was born before Game 4, and after that, VanVleet was on fire.
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He had just one double-digit point game in the first 15 playoff games that season. In the last nine games, he had eight, averaging 14.7 points per game, while shooting 51% from the field and 52% from three. This brilliant performance was crucial as the Raptors beat the Warriors to win their first-ever NBA title.
VanVleet has been a core member of the Raptors since then, and tonight he proved it once again.
