During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette became a household name in college basketball, emerging as a star player at BYU. His stellar performances earned him both Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season. He guided BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year, scoring a record 2,599 career points, marking the highest in Mountain West history.
Fredette's journey to the professional level saw him being drafted No. 10 overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, his NBA career didn't pan out as spectacularly as his college tenure. "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," Fredette reflected on his time in the NBA.
Fredette’s Transition to 3x3 Basketball
As one chapter closed, another opened for Fredette. After his NBA stint, he found considerable success playing overseas. Eventually, he ventured into the 3x3 basketball format, a thrilling and fast-paced variant of the traditional game. Recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities it presented, Fredette stated, "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 3x3 basketball and it's different than five-on-five."
Leading Team USA to Paris 2024
Now, Fredette's efforts have culminated in him headlining the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024. This marks only the second time 3x3 basketball has been recognized as an official Olympic event. Fredette's role has been instrumental, steering Team USA through their journey to Paris. His outstanding performance even earned him the title of 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year.
Joining Fredette on the U.S. roster are Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. The team has already demonstrated their prowess by finishing second at the 2024 World Cup, only behind Serbia, who holds fourth place on the world leaderboard and clinched a bronze medal in Tokyo. Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup, adding to the competitive landscape Team USA will navigate in Paris.
The Road Ahead in Paris
The Olympic journey will see Team USA compete against formidable teams such as Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in a round-robin format. The top two teams from this group will advance to the semi-finals, while those finishing between third and sixth will clash in the quarterfinals. With the medal round set for August 5, the stakes couldn't be higher for Fredette and his teammates.
Understanding 3x3 Basketball
For the uninitiated, 3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. A field goal is worth one point, or two if shot from beyond the arc. Unlike traditional 5-on-5 basketball, 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, requiring players to dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot. Victory is claimed either by being the first to score 21 points or by having the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter. If tied, the first team to score two points in overtime wins.
Jimmer Fredette's journey from NCAA stardom to representing the United States in the Olympics encapsulates a story of resilience and adaptability. As he prepares to lead Team USA in Paris, fans worldwide eagerly anticipate witnessing the impact of his talent and experience on the global stage of 3x3 basketball.