Jimmer Fredette: From College Star to 3x3 Olympian
During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette captivated the college basketball world as a standout player at BYU. His 2010-11 season was particularly remarkable, earning him both Naismith and Player of the Year honors. Fredette’s scoring prowess guided BYU to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, and he concluded his collegiate career with an astounding 2,599 points, setting a record for the most career points in Mountain West history.
Fredette's basketball journey took a significant turn when he was drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, his NBA career had its share of ups and downs, and he eventually found success playing overseas. Reflecting on his NBA tenure, Fredette said, "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."
Fredette's determination and adaptability led him to embrace the 3x3 basketball format, a rapidly growing variation of the sport that will feature in its second Olympic appearance at the 2024 Paris Games. Team USA’s 3x3 squad will include Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, alongside Fredette, who has been instrumental in their journey to the Olympics. The team finished second at the 2024 World Cup, narrowly behind Serbia, who is currently fourth on the world leaderboard and clinched a bronze in Tokyo. Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup, adding to the competitive landscape.
Fredette has embraced the unique challenges of 3x3 basketball, a format played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. "The way this sport works, you either really like it or you don't like it at all," Fredette explained. "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."
Undoubtedly, 3x3 basketball presents unique dynamics. A made field goal is worth one point, or two points if shot from beyond the arc. There is no inbounds pass after a made basket, and possession changes immediately. The game starts with a coin toss to decide whether a team begins on offense or defense. Players must dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot after a possession change. A team wins by either being the first to score 21 points or 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.
The Olympic competition will see Team USA facing strong contenders such as Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in a round-robin format. The top two teams will advance directly to the semi-finals, while the teams finishing between third and sixth place will battle it out in the quarterfinals. The anticipation will reach its peak during the medal round, scheduled for August 5.
Fredette’s impact on Team USA’s 3x3 success has not gone unnoticed. He was recognized as the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, underscoring his invaluable contribution to the team’s achievements. As he looks ahead to the Paris Olympics, Fredette continues to demonstrate the resilience and adaptability that have marked his career, proving that his journey in basketball is far from over.
The 2024 Paris Games promise to be an exciting chapter in Fredette’s career, as he leads Team USA with the same scoring talent and leadership that once made him a college basketball sensation. The world will be watching closely as Fredette and his teammates aim for Olympic glory in the high-paced and intense world of 3x3 basketball.