Jimmer Fredette: A Basketball Journey from College to 3x3 Olympics

During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette became a household name in college basketball. As a standout player at BYU, Fredette captivated audiences with his scoring prowess and dynamic play. By the end of his collegiate career, he had accumulated a record 2,599 career points, the highest in Mountain West history. His extraordinary performance earned him Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season, and he guided BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.

Fredette's success at BYU led to his selection as the No. 10 overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, his NBA career was inconsistent, filled with highs and lows as he struggled to find the right fit. "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. Despite the challenges, he saw each setback as an opportunity. "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 eventually found a new avenue for his basketball talents overseas, gaining success and recognition on international courts. More recently, he has ventured into the 3x3 basketball format, a variant of the traditional game played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. In 3x3 basketball, a field goal is worth one point, or two points if shot from beyond the arc, and there's no inbounds pass after a made basket. The game is fast-paced, with possession changing after each basket and teams needing to dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot. A team wins 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.

Fredette's transition to 3x3 basketball has been pivotal for Team USA. As they aim for a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Fredette will headline the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team. The team also includes Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. Team USA's preparation has been robust, finishing second at the 2024 World Cup behind Serbia, who holds fourth place on the world leaderboard and bagged a bronze in Tokyo. Team USA, along with their global competitors, will play in a round-robin format against teams like Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. The top two teams will advance to the semi-finals, while those finishing between third and sixth will face off in the quarterfinals. The medal round is scheduled for August 5.

Reflecting on his journey, Fredette acknowledges the unique demands and emotional intensity of 3x3 basketball. "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." His dedication and impact have not gone unnoticed; Fredette was named the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year.

Team USA's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by intense preparation and competition. The excitement is building as they aim to achieve redemption after failing to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games in 3x3 basketball. With the Paris Games being only the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event, the stakes are incredibly high. As Fredette continues to lead and inspire, both his team and fans are eager to see if this new chapter in his storied career will culminate in Olympic glory.