Jimmer Fredette: From NCAA Stardom to Olympic 3x3 Success
Jimmer Fredette's basketball journey, marked by many highs and lows, stands as a testament to perseverance and adaptability. From capturing the Naismith College Player of the Year award at BYU to being the 10th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft, Fredette's career has been anything but ordinary. However, his path took an unexpected turn, steering him towards an opportunity to shine on the international stage in 3x3 basketball.
Though Fredette's NBA career did not pan out as many had anticipated, he reflects on the experience with a mix of pragmatism and optimism. "Obviously the NBA career was very up-and-down," Fredette acknowledges. "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."
One door closing, however, has led to another opening. Fredette has found a new calling in 3x3 basketball, where his sharpshooting and competitive spirit have flourished. His prowess on the court was recently recognized when he was named USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year in 2023, a testament to his critical role in helping Team USA qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
3x3 basketball, a fast-paced and emotionally charged variant of the traditional game, is gaining traction globally. "The way this sport works, you either really like it or you don't like it at all," says Fredette. "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."
This dynamic version, played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, tests the skill, strategy, and stamina of its participants in a compressed time frame. Field goals count for one point, while shots beyond the arc are worth two. The first team to 21 points, or the team with the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter, claims victory. In cases of a tie, the first team to score two points in overtime wins.
Fredette's current teammates, Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, mesh well, bringing a strong sense of camaraderie and cohesion as they prepare to compete against formidable opponents such as Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in pool play. The teams face an intense schedule where the top two teams in the group advance directly to the semifinals, while the third to sixth-placed squads vie for a spot in the final four via the quarterfinals. The pressure will reach its zenith on August 5, the date set for the medal round.
Looking at their competition, Team USA faces stiff opposition. They recently finished second to Serbia in the 2024 World Cup, an indicator of how fierce the rivalry in 3x3 basketball has become. Serbia, boasting a bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics, enters the tournament ranked fourth globally. Meanwhile, Latvia, the reigning Olympic Champion, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup, underlining the depth and quality of the competitors in Paris.
Fredette's journey through the world of basketball, from his celebrated college days to navigating the often treacherous waters of the NBA, and now thriving in the 3x3 arena, encapsulates a career defined by resilience and reinvention. "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," he reflects.
As Fredette and his teammates gear up for the challenges ahead, they remain focused on their shared goal of Olympic glory. For Fredette, this chapter of his career not only indicates his personal adaptation and persistence but also underscores the evolving nature of basketball as a sport, offering new platforms and opportunities for athletes to shine.