NBA champion and Rockford native Fred VanVleet returned for gala event
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — NBA Champion and Rockford native Fred VanVleet returned to his hometown to headline the 3rd annual Diamonds Storytelling Gala.
This year's event was held at Hard Rock Live on Thursday.
The annual gala highlights individuals who grew up in the stateline who have gone on to reach the highest level of their industries.
'It embodies what we're trying to do which is again bring people back home give them reasons to engage with platforms whether it's the gala event or something else give them a reason to come back home regardless of if they live here or not if they've gone on to professional athlete stature or if they're world class musicians or the people that put gear on mars all of that level of achievement needs a collective home and we think founders commission can be that collective home,' said Founders Commission President Nick Povalitis.
'I'm honored to partner with Founders Commission to headline this year's DIAMONDS gala,' said VanVleet. 'My family and I are proud to help inspire the next generation of success stories, whether they're achieved on the court, in business or in the community.'
Roscoe native and ESPN SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe emceed the event, which featured an on-stage conversation and Q&A session with VanVleet.
Proceeds from the night went to the Founders Commission, and they will donate a portion of this year's proceeds to the VanVleet Family Foundation, which helps youth through educational opportunities, athletics, and career development.
This was the third annual Diamonds Gala.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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