Shawn Marion - NBA (Suns, Mavericks, Heat, Raptors, Cavaliers)

1) Shawn Marion is a former NBA star small forward/ shooting guard/ power forward who played for the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, and Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. 

2) Marion began his collegiate career at Vincennes University (a junior college in Indiana) where he garnered 2nd team All-American and 1st team All-American honors as a freshman and sophomore. Following his sophomore year, Shawn attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) for one season (1998-99)  before getting drafted 9th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1999 NBA Draft.

3) Shawn Marion finished up his illustrious 16 year NBA career with 4 NBA All-Star selections, he was named All-NBA 3rd team two times ('05, '06), and finished his 2011 season on top with an NBA Championship in which his Dallas Mavericks defeated the Lebron James and Dwyane Wade led Miami Heat in six games.

Jordan: What brand of shoes were your favorite to wear when playing in the NBA?

Shawn Marion: NIKE

Jordan's Follow Up: That's cool because Nike is what I rep. I almost always wear Nike.

Andrew Bernstein / Getty Images

Danny: What is your favorite NBA memory?

Shawn Marion: I have lots of great memories. Not just one. Getting drafted was a great one as I started my career in the NBA. But also winning the championship and the All-Stars, I've got a lot of them.

Danny's Follow Up: Winning the championship sounds awesome. It would be pretty cool to be an All-Star too because it means you are one of the best players in the league.

The Vincent family was all over Chicago during the weekend of February 15-17th as the NBA held their All-Star festivities in Chicago for the first time in over 30 years. Our team decided we would try to take advantage of all of the amazing opportunities for fans to take part in while the NBA was in our city. Our first stop of the day was the AT&T flagship store on Michigan Avenue where we knew Shawn would be attending later that afternoon. After trying out all of their interactive photo and game opportunities we made our way back to meet The Matrix!

It was 2:30 pm and Shawn was right on time. He greeted all four of us with a hand shake and asked both Jordan and Danny for their names. Jordan jumped in right away with his shoe question and Danny followed by asking about his favorite NBA memory. With 16 years in the league, it's understandable that so many moments stand out to Shawn. My boys are up to date on nearly every current NBA star in the league and many legends but it was fun to catch them up on the career of Shawn Marion on our way into the city. I told them that he was born in Waukegan (just 20 minutes from us in Mundelein) and turned himself into a tremendous NBA player. From his run and gun days with the high speed Phoenix Suns to the unforgettable late comebacks in the fourth quarters of the Finals against the Heat, Marion got to be a part of it all in his time in the league.  

Big thanks to Shawn for giving our team a special experience and spending his time meeting with fans in Chicago during All-Star weekend! 

Fred VanVleet - Toronto Raptors

1) Fred VanVleet (#23) is a point guard for the 2019 NBA World Champion Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.

2) Fred was signed by the Toronto Raptors as an undrafted free agent in 2016 after a stellar career at Wichita State University. He made a Final Four appearance as a freshman, played a major role on the 2013-14 team that finished the regular season undefeated, and was the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore and senior.

3) Rockford, Illinois' own VanVleet finished out his third NBA season as an NBA champion as his Toronto Raptors defeated the reigning champion Golden State Warriors in the Finals 4-2. Fred scored 22 points on five three pointers to help the Raptors win their first championship in team history.

Photo credit / Getty Images 

D: What are your favorite fruits and vegetables?

FV: I like asparagus and watermelon. What do you like? (D: I like honeydew and carrots.) I like carrots too. 

D's Follow Up: I always pick carrots when they are a choice for me at lunch at school. They are probably my favorite veggie with broccoli. I don't think I like asparagus very much but watermelon is so good. Honeydew is my favorite fruit though.

J: Who was your favorite basketball player growing up?

FV: Kobe (Bryant)

J's Follow Up: Kobe is in my top five players of all time. I love Kobe but I have Michael Jordan as my number one and Lebron James is my second favorite. Kobe is awesome though it's one of my favorite jerseys I have.

Fred VanVleet recently hosted his basketball camp in Rockford, IL on July 13th and 14th and Jordan was excited to meet Fred and learn from the NBA world champion. I grew up just minutes away from Rockford in Machesney Park, IL and I have loved following Fred's career from Auburn High School, to Wichita State University and now in Toronto on his quest to becoming a world champion. The whole family was excited to come in to spend the weekend in RockFred and see the big impact he is having on his community.

Camp took place at the UW Sports Factory and the place was filled with FVV logos, larger than life banners with Fred holding the Larry O' Brien trophy, and hundreds of young athletes excited to learn from Fred and his coaches. Fred even requested the trophy be present at his camp and everyone in attendance had the opportunity to pose with it. Jordan had a good time and we loved being a part of the experience with him. It was a tremendous weekend for the family and we wish Fred well next season and we plan on being back for the Fan Fest and Camp. Congrats to Fred for everything that continues to come his way! #BetOnYourself #RockFred #FredVanVleet #RockfordsOwn

Photo credit / Getty Images TNS