During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette was synonymous with college basketball brilliance. As a shooting guard for BYU, Fredette became a household name, dazzling fans with his scoring prowess. He not only earned Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season but also led BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time. Fredette’s remarkable ability to put points on the board culminated in a record-setting 2,599 career points, the most in Mountain West history.
Fredette’s stellar college career catapulted him to the NBA, where he was drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, his professional journey in the NBA proved to be a tumultuous one. "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. "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."
Following his stint in the NBA, Fredette found success overseas and ultimately ventured into the realm of 3x3 basketball. Fast forward to summer 2024, Fredette will be a key figure in the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team as they head to the Paris Olympics. Fredette’s contribution to the team cannot be overstated; he was named the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, having been instrumental in Team USA's journey to the Olympics.
The inclusion of 3x3 basketball in the Olympics is a testament to the growing popularity of the format. The Paris Games will mark the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event after its debut in Tokyo. Team USA, which includes players like Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry alongside Fredette, aims to avenge their failure to qualify for the Tokyo Games. Team USA finished a commendable second at the 2024 World Cup behind Serbia, signaling their readiness to compete on the global stage.
Format and Competition
The competition in Paris will see Team USA competing against formidable teams such as Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in a round-robin format. Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup, while Serbia, a strong contender, bagged a bronze in Tokyo and holds fourth place on the world leaderboard. The dynamic and intense nature of 3x3 basketball, played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, adds to the excitement. A field goal is worth one point or two points if shot from beyond the arc, with no inbounds pass after a made basket. The game starts with a coin toss to decide which team begins 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. A team wins by either scoring 21 points first 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 top two teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals, while the teams that finish between third and sixth face off in the quarterfinals. The medal round is set for August 5, where the world's best will vie for Olympic glory.
The Emotional Rollercoaster 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," Fredette explained. "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."
Fredette’s insights capture the essence of the sport—its blend of intensity, emotion, and unpredictability. As he leads Team USA at the Paris Olympics, the hope is that his journey from college star to Olympic contender will culminate in yet another chapter of basketball excellence. For fans and players alike, 3x3 basketball offers a thrilling spectacle, and with Fredette on the court, it promises to be an unforgettable experience.