(Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, the union for current professional basketball players in the NBA, the NBPA announced today.

The 31-year-old was elected by his fellow NBA players and will serve a four-year term starting immediately.

'It's truly an honor to be elected as President of the NBPA by my peers and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best interest of all the members,' VanVleet said.

'With a deep appreciation for the complexities and challenges players face on all levels of their NBA journeys, I am committed to approaching this role with the passion, dignity, and dedication every player deserves.'

The NBPA negotiates collective bargaining agreements, files grievances on behalf of players and educates players about benefits and post-NBA career opportunities, among other responsibilities, according to a statement from the NBPA today.

VanVleet has dedicated himself to philanthropic and advocacy efforts off the court. He founded the VanVleet Family Foundation in 2016, an organization with a mission 'to increase the access and exposure for the youth through educational opportunities, athletics, and career development.'

He succeeds CJ McCollum, who had served as NBPA president since 2021 and will now serve in an 'advisory capacity.'

'It's been a privilege to serve on the NBPA Executive Committee for the past seven years and uniquely shape the business of our game,' McCollum said. 'I am encouraged by the future of the PA under Fred's leadership, as he has earned the basketball community's respect and has proven he is ready for this next step.

'I look forward to supporting him as we continue building a stronger Association that serves past, present, and future generations of players.'

VanVleet has had an unlikely career path in the NBA. After four years at Wichita State, he signed with the Toronto Raptors as an undrafted free agent. He spent time in the G League in his rookie year before developing into an All-Star, NBA champion and eventually the highest-paid undrafted player of all time.

He has averaged 14.9 points and 5.7 assists per game in his nine-year career with the Raptors (2016-23) and Rockets.

--Field Level Media