Jimmer Fredette: From NBA Star to 3x3 Basketball Olympian

Jimmer Fredette: From NBA Star to 3x3 Basketball Olympian

Jimmer Fredette: From NBA Star to 3x3 Basketball Olympian

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.

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 2024 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 competes in the 2024 Olympic 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. 


LATEST

  • NEWS
  • |
  • ARTICLES
  • |
  • VIDEOS
img_articles

Jordan Chiles' ethnicity

img_articles

Is Katie Ledecky married?

img_articles

Frederick Richard, IShowSpeed could join forces...

img_articles

Do Fred Kerley and Chad Johnson have beef?

img_articles

Can iShowSpeed beat Noah Lyles?

img_articles

Why did Simone Biles part ways with Cecile Landi?

img_articles

Meet Spencer McManes, Gabby Thomas' boyfriend

img_articles

What is Gabby Thomas' net worth?

img_articles

Meet track and field star Gabby Thomas' parents

img_articles

Meet pole vault star Mondo Duplantis' parents

img_articles

Do Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles have a child?

img_articles

Organic Body Ointments: Natural Pain Relief and...

img_articles

Has any city hosted the olympics three times

img_articles

Is Travis Bagent married?

img_articles

Who is the best arm wrestler of all-time?

img_articles

Who are the greatest sumo wrestlers of all-time?

img_articles

Who are the best snowboarders of all-time?

img_articles

What is Oracene Price's Net Worth?

img_articles

Who are the top Under Armour-sponsored athletes?

img_articles

Is Team USA Olympian Gabby Douglas married?

img_articles

How many athletes does Nike sponsor?

img_articles

How many athletes does Adidas sponsor?

img_articles

Is Team USA gymnast McKayla Maroney single?

img_articles

Top Moments From The 2024 Paris Olympics

img_articles

Noah Lyles' Passion for Yu-Gi-Oh Cards: A Deep ...

img_articles

All About Josephus Lyles: Noah Lyles' Track Sta...

img_articles

Does Noah Lyles Have a Sister? Uncovering the T...

img_articles

Meet Noah Lyles' Parents: The Story of Keisha C...

img_articles

Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner: A History of ...

img_articles

Simone Biles' Family: What to Know About Her Pa...

img_articles

Are Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens Planning to...

img_articles

What is Karsten Warholm's Net Worth?

img_articles

Who is Desiré Inglande? Meet Mondo Duplantis' G...

img_articles

Tonya Harding's Past: Ex-Husband Jeff Gillooly ...

img_articles

Tonya Harding's Love Life: Meet Husband Joseph ...

img_articles

Meet MyKayla Skinner's Parents: Cris and Kym Sk...

img_articles

MyKayla Skinner's Net Worth: How She Built Her ...

img_articles

Olympic Heartthrobs: The Most Attractive Male O...

img_articles

Olympic Beauties: The Most Attractive Female Ol...

img_articles

Olympic Glory: Top 10 USA Male Gymnasts of All ...

img_articles

Inside Tara Davis Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall'...

img_articles

Mexico's Best: The Top 10 Mexican Olympic Athle...

img_articles

Japan's Finest: The Top 10 Japanese Olympic Ath...

img_articles

Celebrating Excellence: The Top 10 Chinese Olym...

img_articles

What is Tonya Harding's Net Worth?

img_articles

What is Tonya Harding's Ex Husband Doing Now?

img_articles

Darrell Housh Doucette III: The Flag Football P...

img_articles

NFL Players in Olympic Flag Football: Rules, El...

img_articles

What is Efren Reyes' Net Worth?

img_articles

Who is Riley Gaines's Husband Louis Barker? A L...

FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK