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Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet went undrafted out of Wichita State in 2016 and, as a result, was forced to fight, scratch and claw his way onto an NBA roster.
VanVleet bet on himself and put in the work necessary to have an opportunity with the Raptors. He is now in a position in a cash in during free agency with the Raptors or another team after emerging as a key player for the defending NBA champions.
Given his path to this point, VanVleet is a perfect role model for younger players who find themselves in a similar position that may have gone undrafted under the radar. One player in a similar position is leaning on the advice given to him by VanVleet ahead of the season restart.
Raptors rookie Oshae Brissett, who went undrafted last year, has spent much of the season in the G League with the Raptors 905 and logged only 19 appearances in the NBA. While he didn’t play much throughout the season, Brissett said Monday that he is staying ready for his opportunity.
[I’m going into the restart] with not really having any expectations, just being ready whenever my number is called. That’s kinda what Freddy told me at the start of the season because he was kinda in my position a few years ago. I asked him how he coped with it going through his first year [and] he told me just to stay ready and that’s kinda what I did all year no matter if I was with the 905 or with the Raptors; anytime I was called, I just tried to give my maximum effort. That’s the same way I’m going to carry on with this: Whenever we’re out there, I’m going to be ready when Coach calls me.
Brissett was included on the Raptors’ roster ahead of the season start and will be eligible to play with the team. Although it is unclear how much time he could potentially play, it is certain that he will be ready for when his number is called.
The Raptors kick off the season restart Aug. 1 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.
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