Local residents gain more insights into Fred VanVleet with his appearance at the Diamonds Storytelling Gale in Rockford

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — We in Rockford all know who Fred VanVleet is, the Houston Rockets guard who is an NBA champion and has been an NBA All-Star who launched his basketball career here at Auburn High School. Thursday night, many folks got to know him on a deeper level at the third annual Diamonds Storytelling Gala in Rockford. VanVleet is known for always having 'bet on himself', so it's only fitting that this Diamonds event was held at Hard Rock Casino Rockford in the live auditorium.This was the third annual Diamonds event put on by the Founders Commission, a night to spotlight someone who grew up in the Rockford Region, and who has gone on to have tremendous success while also giving back to the Rockford community.The first year the special guest was U.S. Navy Top Gun instructor Michael Andrews. Last year that individual was Rockford native and Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams.'This Diamonds Gala is really a great flagship program of the Founders Commission,' said the President of The Founders Commission Nick Povalitis. 'It really embodies what we're trying to do which is bring people back home.'The event emcee for the third straight year was ESPN SportsCenter anchor and nearby Roscoe, Illinois native Nicole Briscoe. Briscoe is now also on the Founders Commission Board.'Being here and being inspired by the stories inspired me to want to do more…be a part of the scholarship committee. Be as much a part of this event as much as I possibly could.'The dress for the event was formal, but everyone was encouraged to wear sneakers as a tribute to VanVleet.At the event, two Oregon High School students received scholarships from the Founders Commission. Povalitis announced that the Founders Commission is starting up a Hall of Fame that will consist of people from the Rockford Region who have gone on to do big things in the fields of entertainment, the arts, business and sports.A check for more than $19,000 was presented to the nonprofit VanVleet Family Foundation. That money will be poured back into the community.But the highlight of the night was Briscoe's informal sit-down interview with VanVleet and a question-and-answer session with the crowd.VanVleet said he began betting on himself at a very young age.'I definitely remember being 6-7-8 years old and telling my mom I was going to the NBA.'He emphasized the importance of having the support of a family and of other people in order to have success, but he says in the end, it's that inner drive that counts the most as to how much success one achieves.'If you're waiting for someone else to give you that push or that confidence, then you probably don't have any in the first place.'VanVleet was asked if he wanted to coach one day. He said he'd rather not because he doesn't always want to be yelling at people. He much more prefers teaching basketball than coaching basketball.He was asked how he feels he's done off the court as a partner, father, son, and in his other relationships. He believes he's done a great job as a father, but there is room for improvement elsewhere. When asked whether or not he would encourage his young son Fred Jr. to pursue an NBA career, VanVleet said his son is more interested in baseball right now. VanVleet says whatever his son chooses to do, he needs to work at it. Sometimes now VanVleet takes his son to parks to pitch baseballs to him and to play catch.VanVleet said that when he was a free agent a couple years ago, the Chicago Bulls never reached out to him.'They never called.' (laughter from the crowd). 'They never called.'He was asked about the shoutout he gave to Rockford on national TV right after he and the Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship when he stared into the camera and proclaimed, 'Rockford, this one's for you!''This city made me who I am,' said VanVleet. 'It's given me my character and my edge and my discipline, so it's like, at a certain level I owe that much to put the city on the map as well.'VanVleet says there are so many things he wants to do in the future in terms of giving back to Rockford, giving back to people in general that he sometimes can't sleep at night thinking about them. Rockford is a city VanVleet keeps returning to every summer after his NBA season ends to relax and to reconnect because this city means so much to him. That was evident again Thursday night.NOTE: VanVleet will be hosting his annual 'Bet on Yourself' youth summer basketball camp in Rockford on Saturday at the UW-Health Sports Factory in downtown Rockford.The Founders Commission is a certified 501©(3) charitable organization that celebrates and leverages the Rockford region's excellence and ingenuity in business, arts and entertainment, and sports for brand, economic and social good. For more information visit www.FoundersCommission.org.
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