Rockets' Fred VanVleet Elected NBPA President, Will Replace CJ McCollum
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been elected president of the NBA Players Association, the NBAPA announced on Saturday.
VanVleet will serve a four-year term in the position, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
He will replace Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum, who began his own four-year term in 2021.
VanVleet could now potentially play a key role in collective bargaining negotiations if the NBA and NBAPA return to the table during his tenure.
The league and players' union reached agreement on a seven-year CBA in April 2023.
The deal started with the 2023-24 season and includes an opt-out after the sixth year of the deal in 2028-29.
Should the NBA and NBAPA decide to opt out before the 2029-30 season, VanVleet could be leading the union's negotiations on the next deal during the final year of his term.
VanVleet recommitted to the Rockets earlier this summer by agreeing to a two-year, $50 million extension in June.
He averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists last season as one of seven NBA players measuring in a 6-foot-0 or shorter to play at least 50 games, according to ESPN's Fran Fraschilla.
VanVleet initially went undrafted after four years at Wichita State, where he helped lead the Shockers to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
He signed as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors ahead of the 2016-17 season and went on to play seven seasons with the franchise while helping the Raptors make their first title run in 2019.
Since signing with the Rockets in 2023, VanVleet has served as a veteran figure on Houston's young roster as the team made the jump back to playoff contention last spring.
