During the early 2010s, few college basketball players captured the public imagination quite like Jimmer Fredette. The BYU standout not only dazzled fans with his remarkable scoring ability but also etched his name into the annals of college basketball history. His impressive feats included earning Naismith and Player of the Year honors during the 2010-11 season and leading BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time that year.
Fredette's legacy at BYU is gilded with remarkable achievements. He scored 2,599 career points, the most in Mountain West history, cementing his status as one of the greatest collegiate players of his time. His ascent saw him being drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, his NBA journey was fraught with turbulence.
"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," Fredette reflected. "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."
Post his NBA stint, Fredette shifted gears and found success overseas before venturing into the newly popular format of 3x3 basketball. The challenges and rewards of this shorter, more intense version of the game suited Fredette's tenacious spirit. "The way this sport works, you either really like it or you don't like it at all," he said. "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."
Headlining in Paris 2024
The summer of 2024 marks an exciting chapter for Fredette as he heads to the Paris Olympics to lead the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team. Team USA missed out on qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Games in 3x3 basketball, but this year, they enter as strong contenders. The Paris Games represent the second iteration of 3x3 basketball as an official Olympic event.
The American roster boasts notable names including Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. At the 2024 World Cup, Team USA narrowly missed the top spot, finishing second behind Serbia—a team that holds fourth place on the world leaderboard and boasts a bronze from the Tokyo Olympics. Latvia, another formidable contender, is the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball and took third place at the 2023 World Cup.
The Road to Olympic Glory
In Paris, Team USA will face a challenging round-robin format. Their opponents include Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. The competition's structure allows the top two teams from the group to advance directly to the semi-finals, while teams finishing between third and sixth enter the quarterfinals. The race for the medals will culminate on August 5.
The unique format of 3x3 basketball brings a fresh dynamic to the Olympics. Played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, each field goal is worth one point or two points if shot from beyond the arc. A distinctive rule that sets this game apart is the absence of inbounds passes after a made basket, with possession directly changing hands. The game starts with a coin toss to decide which team begins on offense or defense, and possession changes after each score. To secure a win, a team must either be the first to rack up 21 points or have the highest score at the end of a single 10-minute quarter. In the event of a tie, the first team to score two points in overtime claims victory.
Fredette's Enduring Impact
Recognized as the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, Fredette has been instrumental in Team USA's journey to Paris. His leadership and experience bring hope and excitement as the team eyes a strong finish in what promises to be a fiercely competitive Olympic event.
While Fredette's path in professional basketball has seen its share of highs and lows, his ability to adapt and succeed in the evolving world of basketball highlights his indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to the game. As fans and players alike look forward to the Paris Olympics, Fredette's story of resilience continues to inspire those who dare to dream beyond the conventional court.