Fred VanVleet’s Surprising Rise: What His New Role as NBPA President Means for the Future of Basketball

“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,” said VanVleet. “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.”

Fred VanVleet is riding a wave of momentum that’s impossible to ignore this summer. Not only did the seasoned point guard ink a hefty two-year, million deal with the Houston Rockets—a squad stacked and gunning for a championship run next season—but he also just snagged the coveted role of president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Talk about doubling down on influence and impact! VanVleet’s peers didn’t just hand him the title lightly; it’s a testament to the respect he commands and the steady, thoughtful leadership he brings to the table. Following in CJ McCollum’s footsteps, who steered the union through the last major collective bargaining agreement, VanVleet steps into this role with a promise to fiercely represent player interests with integrity and assertiveness. And he’s not flying solo—the full slate of NBPA officers, including big names like Grant Williams, Mason Plumlee, Jaylen Brown, and Donovan Mitchell, stand alongside him ready to navigate the challenges ahead. This leadership shake-up signals a bold new chapter for the players’ union, and I’m all eyes and ears to see how it unfolds. LEARN MORE• Grant Williams, First Vice President
• Mason Plumlee, Secretary-Treasurer
• Jaylen Brown, Vice President
• Jaren Jackson Jr, Vice President
• Donovan Mitchell, Vice President
• Garrett Temple, Vice President
• Karl Anthony Towns, Vice President
• Gabe Vincent, Vice PresidentNow he has also been elected the new president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA, the players’ union).VanVleet is the kind of respected veteran player who is well-suited to lead the union —a level-headed person who can push back against the league when necessary. It wasn’t just VanVleet who was elected, so was the full board. Here are the other officers:VanVleet takes over for CJ McCollum, who guided the NBPA through the last CBA negotiation with the league. It’s been a good summer for Fred VanVleet. The veteran point guard got a new two-year, million contract with the Houston Rockets, a team that has loaded up and will enter next season as a title contender.