During the early 2010s, the name Jimmer Fredette was synonymous with college basketball excellence. As a standout player at BYU, Fredette captured the attention of fans and analysts alike with his scoring prowess. His remarkable collegiate career peaked in the 2010-11 season when he earned both Naismith and Player of the Year honors while guiding BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time. In total, Fredette amassed a record 2,599 career points, the highest in Mountain West history, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest scorers in college basketball.
Despite his collegiate success, Fredette's NBA journey was marked by inconsistency. Drafted No. 10 overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft, he struggled to find his footing in the professional league. Reflecting on his NBA tenure, Fredette described the roller-coaster nature of his career: "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."
However, Fredette's love for the game never waned. When opportunities in the NBA dwindled, he found success overseas, playing in various international leagues. This experience eventually led him to the burgeoning world of 3x3 basketball, a fast-paced, physically demanding variation of the sport. "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," Fredette explained.
The 3x3 Basketball Rise
As Fredette transitioned into 3x3 basketball, his impact was immediate and significant. The sport, played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, offers a distinct challenge compared to the traditional five-on-five basketball format. Teams can score one point for a regular field goal or two points if the shot is made from beyond the arc. Following a made basket, there is no inbound pass; instead, possession changes hands, and the ball must be dribbled or passed outside the arc before another shot can be attempted. The game is won either by the first team to score 21 points or by having the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter, with overtime decided by the first team to score two points.
Fredette quickly adapted to the nuances of 3x3 basketball, earning recognition and accolades for his performance. In 2023, he was honored as the USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, a testament to his skill and dedication. Embracing the unique challenges of the sport, Fredette remarked, "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."
Looking Ahead to Paris 2024
The 2024 Paris Olympics will mark the second time that 3x3 basketball is included as an official Olympic event. Leading Team USA's 3x3 men's basketball team, Fredette will headline a roster that includes Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. After narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Games, the team has high aspirations for Paris.
Team USA had an impressive run at the 2024 World Cup, finishing second behind Serbia. The competition in Paris promises to be fierce, with top contenders including Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. Latvia, having secured third place at the 2023 World Cup, enters the Olympics as the reigning champion from Tokyo. Similarly, Serbia, holding fourth place on the world leaderboard, boasts a strong track record with a bronze medal in Tokyo.
The Olympic tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the top two teams from the group advancing directly to the semi-finals. Teams that finish between third and sixth place will face off in the quarterfinals. The high-stakes competition will culminate in the medal round, set for August 5, where the top teams will vie for Olympic glory.
Fredette's journey from college sensation to 3x3 basketball star is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Instrumental in Team USA's qualification for the Paris Olympics, he embodies the spirit of determination and excellence. As the games approach, fans eagerly await to see Fredette and his teammates compete on the world stage, aiming to bring home the gold in this electrifying version of basketball.