Fred VanVleet Drops 54 Points, sets Many Records

On February 2nd, 2021, Fred VanVleet dropped 54 points on the Orlando Magic, and made 11 three-pointers in the process. The 54 that VanVleet scored were the most ever by a Toronto Raptors player (the previous record was 52, held by Demar DeRozan), and the most points ever scored by an undrafted player (the previous record holder for that was Moses Malone, with 53). At only six feet tall and 26 years old, VanVleet has done a lot in his time with the NBA.

Before this season started, VanVleet and the Raptors agreed on the biggest contract ever for an undrafted player: 4 years and $85 million. Undrafted in 2016, the Raptors snagged the young point guard, though with little fanfare at first. In his first season, VanVleet averaged three points per game, and only played 37 games in the NBA that season. However, his playing level and stats have increased steadily each year, and during the Raptors championship season, VanVleet averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. Somehow, VanVleet’s play was so impressive that he even got a vote for Finals MVP, which was won by Kawhi Leonard. That one vote was incredibly impressive, as VanVleet wasn’t even an All-Star. He just might be, though, if he keeps playing like he currently is.

“Just a special night, obviously, a lot of different levels. So just trying to enjoy it for now, but it’s not a championship or anything like that. It was a good game for me, and I’ll enjoy all the love for a couple hours and get ready for the next one.”

Fred VanVleet on his 54 point performance (February 2nd, 2021)

With the 54-point game under his belt, VanVleet’s current season averages are 20.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Truth be told, he looked like the second-coming of Steph Curry last night. The game started with an 11-0 Orlando Magic run, which VanVleet ended with his first three-pointer. In the first quarter he would go on to hit multiple threes, including one to tie the game at the end of the first quarter, 33-33. The Magic kept the game as close as they could, but in the 4th quarter VanVleet and the Raptors blew the game open. As well as his 54 points, VanVleet also recorded three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three blocks. The game was so impressive that it is now tied for 7th place in most three-pointers made in a game. The players ahead of VanVleet? Klay Thompson, Zach Lavine, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, and Donyell Marshall. With the exception of Marshall, all of the players ahead of him are or were stars in the NBA.

“Most of those {three-pointers} were in rhythm, within the offense, playing in the flow of the game; and I even told the guys, ‘You guys, keep playing.’ I could feel them start to look for me to the point where they weren’t looking at the rim anymore. I wanted to win more than I wanted 50 points. Just trying to continue to play with a pure heart and let the game come to me, and I was rewarded for that.”

Fred VanVleet on his team’s offense (February 2nd, 2021)

The Raptors may or may not win the East this year, but two things are for sure:

1. The Raptors are going to be a contender/threat to win the Eastern Conference in the 2021 Playoffs
2. The Raptors have a new star guard to take over once Kyle Lowry’s career winds down.

Comment down below if you think Fred VanVleet will be an All-Star this season, don’t forget to follow the blog, and as always, have an awesome day!