Jimmer Fredette’s basketball journey has been a remarkable tapestry of highs and lows, moments of triumph and instances of near-miss opportunities. A former standout at BYU, Fredette captured the prestigious Naismith College Player of the Year award, marking him as one of the top college players of his time. He led his team to consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, solidifying his status as a collegiate sensation.
In 2011, the Sacramento Kings selected Fredette as the 10th overall pick in the NBA Draft, setting the stage for what many hoped would be a stellar professional career. However, Fredette's time in the NBA proved to be a rollercoaster. 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 Fredette mentions, the end of one chapter leads to the beginning of another. He embraced opportunities beyond the NBA, particularly in the 3x3 basketball circuit, a sport that has garnered increasing attention and will feature as an official Olympic event for the second time during the summer of 2024. This form of the game is distinct, characterized by its half-court setup, a brisk 12-second shot clock, and rapid-paced play where field goals are worth a single point, and shots from beyond the arc earn two points. Possession changes hands after each basket, regardless of whether it was made or missed, and the first team to reach 21 points or lead by the end of a 10-minute quarter claims victory.
Fredette has thrived in the 3x3 format, and his contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, he was named USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, a testament to his pivotal role in qualifying Team USA for the 2024 Olympics. After failing to make the cut for the 2020 Tokyo games, the Americans are eager to make their mark on the Olympic stage.
The roster for Team USA's 3x3 basketball team is filled with talent, including Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, each bringing their own blend of skills and experience to the court. The journey ahead will see Team USA competing in pool play against formidable opponents such as Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. The top two teams from this group will earn a direct passage to the semi-finals, while those placed third to sixth will battle in the quarterfinals for a coveted spot in the final four.
While the road to the Olympics is demanding, the stakes are undeniably high. The medal round is scheduled for August 5, and the competition will be fierce. Team USA's performance at the 2024 World Cup showed promise, finishing second behind Serbia. Notably, Serbia holds a strong pedigree, having clinched the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics and currently ranked fourth globally. Meanwhile, Latvia, the reigning Olympic champions, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup, indicating the competitive landscape Team USA will navigate.
Fredette’s journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability. He acknowledges the attributes that make 3x3 basketball uniquely challenging. "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," he explains.
Yet, through every challenge and every opportunity, Fredette has approached his career with determination and a positive outlook. "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 notes. His story is one of relentless pursuit and an unyielding belief in his abilities, making him not just a player to watch but a true ambassador of the sport.
As Team USA prepares for the upcoming Olympics, the basketball world will be watching Fredette and his teammates closely. The journey may be unpredictable, but with players like Fredette leading the charge, it promises to be nothing short of exhilarating.