Jimmer Fredette's Journey from College Star to 3x3 Icon
Once the pride of Brigham Young University, Jimmer Fredette's basketball journey has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Capturing the Naismith College Player of the Year award at BYU, Fredette led his team to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, cementing his legacy as a college basketball legend. In the 2011 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected him as the 10th overall pick, a testament to his undeniable talent.
However, Fredette's NBA career did not unfold as smoothly as many had anticipated. "Obviously the NBA career was very up-and-down, but that doesn't just happen to just me," Fredette reflects. "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's resilience and adaptability have been evident throughout his professional journey. The closure of one chapter in his career led to the opening of another, with Fredette embracing the burgeoning sport of 3x3 basketball. "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 says.
His commitment and hard work paid off in 2023, when Fredette was named USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year. He played an instrumental role in qualifying Team USA for the 2024 Olympics, a notable achievement given the Americans' failure to make the cut for the 2020 Tokyo games.
The Evolution of 3x3 Basketball
As an official Olympic event, 3x3 basketball will make its second appearance at the summer 2024 games. The fast-paced sport features a half-court setup and a 12-second shot clock, differentiating it from the traditional five-on-five basketball. Field goals are worth one point, with shots beyond the arc earning two points, and the ball changes possession after each basket, regardless of a make or miss. The first team to reach 21 points or the team with the most points after a single 10-minute quarter wins the game. In the case of a tie, the first team to score two points in overtime claims victory.
Fredette's reflections on the sport capture its unique challenges and appeal. "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."
Road to Olympic Glory
Team USA's 3x3 basketball team, which includes players Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry alongside Fredette, will compete against top-tier teams such as Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in pool play. Only the top two teams in the group automatically advance to the semi-finals, while the third to sixth-placed teams face off in the quarterfinals for a spot in the final four. The medal round is slated for August 5, 2024.
Team USA's preparation and performance leading up to the Olympics have set high expectations. They finished second behind Serbia at the 2024 World Cup, signaling their potential to challenge for the top spot. Serbia, ranked fourth globally after clinching the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, remains a formidable opponent. Latvia, the reigning Olympic Champion, placed third at the 2023 World Cup, adding another layer of competition to the mix.
Fredette's journey from NCAA stardom to NBA dreams and now to 3x3 basketball excellence is a testament to his tenacity and passion for the game. As he gears up for the 2024 Olympics, the basketball world watches with keen interest to see if he and Team USA can climb to the pinnacle of 3x3 basketball.