MVC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Aug 4, 2023

Feb 1, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers players Ron Baker (31), Fred VanVleet (23) and Nick Wiggins (15) walk off the court during a time-out against the Evansville Aces during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers won 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

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MVC Basketball Wichita State Shockers guard Fred VanVleet Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports /

1. Fred VanVleet

There have been some generational talents come through the MVC in recent years, but somebody had to top the list. VanVleet is a 6’0 point guard from Rockford, Illinois who went down to Wichita State in 2012. He was a bench player during Wichita State’s Final Four run in his freshman season but would see his role magnified in the years to follow.

VanVleet was an incredible leader for the Shockers, especially during his sophomore season where they entered the NCAA Tournament with an unblemished record. He was great from outside the arc, averaged at least 5 assists per game in his final three seasons, and had decent offensive numbers. VanVleet had 27 points against Indiana and was great against Kansas during a Sweet Sixteen run as a junior. He’d then help the Shockers to two more NCAA Tournament wins as a senior with great numbers and leadership for the team.

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Wichita State was 90-12 in those last three seasons when VanVleet was in the lineup, a testament to the role he played running the show for the Shockers. He was Player of the Year in the MVC as both a sophomore and senior, leading the league in assists per game for three straight seasons. Clearly, VanVleet had a major role during Wichita State’s success in the early 2010’s without having to score 20 a game. He was a major weapon both sides of the ball and is now seven years into his NBA career.