During the early 2010s, few names in college basketball shone as brightly as Jimmer Fredette’s. Leading the charge for Brigham Young University (BYU), Fredette was not merely a player; he was a phenomenon. His prolific scoring and dynamic playmaking earned him Naismith and Player of the Year honors during the 2010-11 season. Under his leadership, BYU reached the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time, with Fredette setting the Mountain West Conference ablaze, culminating in a record 2,599 career points—more than any player in conference history.
Despite this illustrious college career, Fredette’s transition to the NBA was turbulent. Drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft, his professional journey was marred by inconsistencies. Reflecting on his NBA career, Fredette noted, "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 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 found himself overseas, where he achieved considerable success and eventually ventured into the lesser-highlighted 3x3 basketball format. His adaptability and resilience paid off. This summer, Fredette will headline a talented U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone for both the player and the sport.
3x3 Basketball at the Olympics
3x3 basketball was introduced as an official Olympic event for the first time during the 2020 Tokyo Games. Team USA, however, failed to qualify. Learning from this setback, the team has regrouped, and under Fredette’s leadership, they finished second at the 2024 World Cup behind Serbia. The competition at the Paris Games will be fierce with teams from Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands all vying for the top spots.
Fredette will join teammates Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, aiming to secure a podium finish. Team USA’s roster blends experience and skill, crucial elements in a format that is as fast-paced as it is demanding. The rules of 3x3 basketball, with a 12-second shot clock and no inbounds pass after a made basket, demand quick thinking and even quicker execution. "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," Fredette shared.
The format also features a unique scoring system where a field goal is worth one point, or two points if shot from beyond the arc, adding a strategic layer to play execution. The game’s brevity—a single 10-minute quarter—or the target of 21 points to clinch a win, coupled with sudden death overtime rules, ensure matches are thrilling and unpredictable.
The Olympic Journey
Team USA’s path to the semi-finals and beyond will be determined through a round-robin format where only the top two teams from the group directly advance. Teams finishing between third and sixth will face off in the quarterfinals, intensifying the journey to the medal round scheduled for August 5.
As the countdown to the Paris Olympics continues, Fredette’s role cannot be understated. His transition from a star college player to an ambassador of 3x3 basketball illustrates the evolution of both the player and the sport. Named the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, Fredette has been pivotal in Team USA’s pursuit of Olympic glory. His stewardship, marked by resilience and adaptability, embodies the spirit of 3x3 basketball and promises an electrifying performance in Paris.
There is anticipation and excitement as Fredette, alongside his teammates, prepares to step onto the court. For fans of the sport, the Paris Olympics represent another chapter in the story of 3x3 basketball’s rise, with Jimmer Fredette once again at the heart of the action, poised to etch his name into its history.