During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette was a name that reverberated across the college basketball landscape. As a standout player at Brigham Young University (BYU), Fredette became synonymous with scoring prowess and clutch performances. He earned Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season and led BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time in that same season, cementing his place among the college basketball elite.
Fredette's career at BYU was nothing short of spectacular. He accumulated a record 2,599 career points, the most in Mountain West history, and his performances made him a household name among basketball aficionados. The Sacramento Kings took notice and drafted him No. 10 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, Fredette's journey in the NBA was tumultuous. Reflecting on his career, Fredette remarked, "Obviously the NBA career was very up-and-down, but that doesn't just happen to just me. It's about trying to find the right fit at the right time in the right situation, and that didn't quite happen the way it could have for me. But as one door closes, another door opens, and I always tried to take full advantage of that by working hard and being prepared and believing in myself."
Post-NBA, Fredette found success playing overseas and eventually ventured into the 3x3 basketball format. This decision led him to become a pivotal figure in the resurgence of Team USA's 3x3 basketball program. In 2023, his efforts and performances did not go unnoticed as he was named the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year.
Paris Olympics 2024
In the summer of 2024, Fredette will headline the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics, marking another significant milestone in his illustrious career. This will be the second time that 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event. Despite Team USA's failure to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games, the current roster, including Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, finished second at the 2024 World Cup, just behind Serbia.
The competition at the Paris Games will be fierce, with Team USA set to compete in a round-robin format against strong teams from Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. The top two teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals, while the teams finishing between third and sixth will face off in the quarterfinals. The medal round is scheduled for August 5, and Team USA is keen to improve upon their recent performances.
The Dynamics of 3x3 Basketball
3x3 basketball, played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, is a fast-paced and intense variation of the traditional game. A field goal is worth one point, or two points if shot from beyond the arc, and there is no inbounds pass after a made basket. The game begins with a coin toss to determine which team starts on offense or defense. Possession changes after each made basket, and players need to dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot. A team wins by being the first to score 21 points or by having the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter. If the game is tied after the quarter, the first team to score two points in overtime wins.
Fredette's transition to 3x3 basketball has been significant not only for his career but also for the sport's growth in the United States. He explained, "The way this sport works, you either really like it or you don't like it at all. That people love it or hate it, I see the reasons why. It's difficult, there's a lot of travel involved all across the world. Sometimes you travel 36 hours for a tournament and if you lose two games you're done in like 20 minutes. ... There's just so much emotion in 3×3 basketball and it's different than five-on-five."
A Look Forward
Fredette's impact on Team USA's journey to the Paris Olympics has been instrumental. The team is prepared to face formidable opponents like Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball, who also secured third place at the 2023 World Cup. Serbia, holding fourth place on the world leaderboard and having bagged a bronze in Tokyo, also presents a significant challenge.
Fredette and his teammates have their eyes set on the medal round, aiming to bring home Olympic glory. As the competition date approaches, the anticipation builds, and the basketball world watches closely as Jimmer Fredette continues to write new chapters in his remarkable career, this time on the global stage of the Paris Olympics.