Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Best player on eastern semifinal 2019 NBA playoff teams

By Alex Weber

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 06: George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 06, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 06: George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 06, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 21: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Atlanta Hawks draws an offensive foul from Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors at State Farm Arena on November 21, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 21: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Atlanta Hawks draws an offensive foul from Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors at State Farm Arena on November 21, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Toronto Raptors – Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet, I’m sure, is not the name you expected to see in this spot. Danny Green, Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, and maybe even OG Annunoby all elicit more love for their college careers on a national stage. I’m here to recognize VanVleet, who was a different type of star in college.

In terms of raw physical stature, VanVleet leaves everything to be desired. He’s an almost-pudgy six-foot point guard with little athleticism. Yet, VanVleet graduated Wichita State as one of the winningest players in the history of college basketball. While he was in school, the Shockers developed into a true mid-major powerhouse under Gregg Marshall. VanVleet was never the team’s leading scorer but was perpetually the most valuable.

He ran the team with comfort as a lead guard, equitably distributed the ball to the many hungry mouths of the Shocker offense, and scored when necessary. Like Horford, VanVleet can be described as a pure winner, a player you undoubtedly want in your corner. He’s a perennial underdog, but a proven victor.

Wichita State turned in the only undefeated regular season in program history in 2015, behind the versatile scoring of Cleanthony Early and Ron Baker, but due to the poignant presence of VanVleet on both ends of the court. He defended with effort and led with exigency on offense. Fred VanVleet was Gregg Marshall’s safety valve, someone to salvage possessions with brilliant playmaking and restore defensive breakdowns with a poke of the ball.

For Toronto, VanVleet is the same player, just in lower volume. He comes off the bench, makes seemingly every right decision, playing selflessly and with contagious energy. An unequivocal positive for the Raptors. VanVleet saw his minutes load decrease a bit in the Playoffs this season, but he still contributes as a high-end backup point guard in certain situations and certain matchups. With VanVleet, you always have a stabilizing lead guard who knows his role and how to maximize his production within it.

Home/NCAA Basketball News