Jimmer Fredette: From NBA Star to 3x3 Basketball Olympian (2024)

By Edcel Panganiban August 03, 2024 22:57

Photo by Yukihito Taguchi/ USA TODAY Sports

Jimmer Fredette was born on February 25, 1989, in Glens Falls, New York. With basketball in his blood, he was naturally talented from a young age and left his family and peers amazed by the shots that came from him. Fredette was already considered a top player in high school, averaging 28.8 points in his senior year at Glens Falls High School. He finished high school with one of the top scores of all time in New York State, with 2,404 points.

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Fredette received a scholarship from Brigham Young University (BYU), and he would go on to excel there. His scoring exploits during his college days - he averaged 28.9 points per game as a senior in the 2010-11 season, tops among NCAA players that year- turned him into one of the most exciting prospects to come out in recent memory. He certainly compiled a strong enough season to earn the Wooden Award and the Naismith Award and lead BYU into the Sweet 16 of this year's NCAA tournament. This era of Jimmer mania had basketball audiences nationwide and opened his professional career.

NBA Regular Season Stats Career Achievements

Fredette was taken with the 10th pick in Milwaukee's first round of the 2011 NBA Draft but immediately traded to Sacramento. During his first few seasons in the NBA, his time could have been more consistent as he found it hard to put up numbers that reflected his success during college. In his third season with the Kings, Fredette would average 7.6 points per game for Sacramento over two seasons, shooting nearly 42 percent from three-point range in that second season of play.

Despite limited success as a professional NBA player, Fredette's career could have been more consistent and stable. He played for various teams, including the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, and others, but failed to find a stable role. His stint with the Bulls was the shortest, as he only appeared in eight games that season, scoring an average of 4.0 points per game. After short stints with other teams, Fredette's last season in the NBA was with the Phoenix Suns in 2019, where he played only six games. Unfortunately, Fredette's departure from the NBA was not rooted solely in his underperformance but also in the fact that he never found the "right" team to fit his playing style.

In subsequent years, up to 2019, Fredette sought new opportunities outside the NBA and played for three years for the Shanghai Sharks in China. His tenure in China was particularly successful, as it allowed him to reexperience his passion for the game and prove his scoring abilities on an international level.

In addition, Fredette's recent transition to FIBA 3×3 made headlines in 2022. This format is known for its speed, quick decision-making skills, and high-tempo offenses since only three players participate on each side, and both scoring and competition are intensified.

The format suits Fredette's style since it emphasizes shooting and basketball IQ, making it perfect for a single-player scorer and playmaker. As such, Fredette's team won the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in 2022 and later took the gold medal in the 2023 Pan American Games.

Road to the 3x3 Circuit and Experiences

Fredette's 3x3 career ends with a spot on the U.S. men's national team for the '24 Paris Olympics. At 35, he was selected to the only Olympic team of his life, a milestone for anyone who dreams opens up the door to competitive sport.

The 3x3 element of the game brings challenges and opportunities. Different from classic basketball, 3x3 games are played at a high pace with a shot clock of just twelve seconds, and teams need to get used to the flow of the game quickly. His deep-range shooting and the ability to create his own shot were invaluable. The high-pressure experiences of his college and international days helped make him ready for the Olympic stage.

What It Means

The path of Fredette from NBA star to 3x3 Olympian marks the altered state of professional basketball. The rise of options like 3x3 gives players who may not be successful in traditional leagues a way into the sport as it grows worldwide. Fredette's story can inspire hopeful future athletes that success is different from how it may appear and that they should never give up.

In addition, Fredette has brought even greater awareness of 3x3 basketball. His involvement in the Olympics is a testament to his skill and an extension of how strong 3x3 basketball can be as both competitive and entertaining. As the U.S. team pursues gold in Paris, Fredette's story surely echoes for fans and players alike.

Insights and Perspectives

Through it all, Fredette's trip has been crafted by the wisdom of coaches, teammates, and experts who have watched him find new ways to play. Many have lauded his work ethic and commitment to working on his game. Fredette, sensing the uphill battle before him in NBA years past: "It was just a matter of trying to find a good fit at the right time and right place." One of the most prominent aspects throughout his career has been his embrace and willingness to adapt to new opportunities.

So, as Fredette competesin the 2024Olympic Games, he brings the memory of lessons learned. However, his tale from college wonder to NBA grinder and back mirrors the perseverance needed to make it into the dog-eat-dog world of high-level hoops. Jimmer Fredette has the entire basketball-watching world watching and will soon leave his mark on Olympic history, continuing to inspire young brains forever.

The career journey of Jimmer Fredette is impressive. A highly touted college player who failed to thrive in the NBA, he is now an Olympic basketball Olympian for 3x3. His story is the epitome of adaptation, resilience, and chasing your dreams no matter what.

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