Raptors star point guard Fred VanVleet wants to become a Canadian citizen

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The leader of the Toronto Raptors wants to become a Canadian citizen.

Fred VanVleet went on the Ball Don’t Stop podcast and said as much.

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“I’m definitely a Canadian, an honorary Canadian,” VanVleet said. “I think I’m going to work on getting my passport, try and get some citizenship or something. My kids love it; my daughter is Canadian, she was born in Toronto. Toronto’s been great, it’s been great to me and my family. The country has embraced me.”

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VanVleet is set to enter his seventh season as a Raptor after going undrafted out of Wichita State. He is now the locker room’s veteran presence and the leader on the court as well. Last season he earned his first all-star appearance.

The native of Rockford, Ill., said he learned a lot from the former face of the franchise Kyle Lowry.

“I watched Kyle do it, so I got the blueprint. I just got to stick around long enough to be the longest-tenured guy and you know, see what type of more stuff I can rack up — bring them another championship,” he said.

VanVleet’s comments can be seen as a positive for the Raptors, since this could be the final year of his current contract should he choose to opt out of next season’s US$22.8 million option.

VanVleet said on media day he’s “open” to conversations about an extension and team president Masai Ujiri spoke highly of VanVleet. He’s already signed one contract extension previously with the team.