During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette captured the nation's attention as a standout college basketball player at BYU. His remarkable college career saw him earning Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season. Fredette’s scoring prowess was unmatched, with 2,599 career points—the most in Mountain West history. He led BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time that season, cementing his legacy as one of the greats in college basketball.
In 2011, Fredette’s talent took him to the NBA, where he was drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings. Despite a promising start, his NBA career didn’t pan out as expected. As Fredette reflects, "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."
After his NBA stint, Fredette found success playing overseas and eventually ventured into the world of 3x3 basketball. This adaptation marked a new chapter in his career, showcasing his ability to reinvent himself. "The way this sport works, you either really like it or you don't like it at all," Fredette states. "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 3×3 basketball and it's different than five-on-five."
Fredette’s commitment and hard work paid off as he was named the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year. His efforts have been pivotal in Team USA’s journey to the Paris Olympics, where he will headline the U.S. men’s team in the summer of 2024. The 2024 Paris Games will see 3x3 basketball recognized as an official Olympic event for only the second time, after its debut at the Tokyo Games.
Team USA's 3x3 roster includes talents like Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. The team has shown great promise, finishing second at the 2024 World Cup just behind Serbia, signaling their potential as a formidable contender in Paris. The competition will be stiff, with formidable opponents like Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands.
Latvia enters the Paris Games as the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball and secured third place at the 2023 World Cup. Serbia, another strong contender, holds the fourth place on the world leaderboard and bagged a bronze medal in Tokyo. Team USA has much to prove, especially after failing to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games in the 3x3 format.
The format of 3x3 basketball itself poses unique challenges. Played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, the game demands quick thinking and agility. Field goals are worth one point, or two if shot from beyond the arc, and there is no inbounds pass following a made basket. Teams must dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot, adding an extra layer of strategy to possession plays.
The game’s format ensures continuous action, with possession changing hands after each made basket. A coin toss at the beginning of the game decides which team starts on offense or defense. Victory is secured by either being the first to score 21 points or having the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter. If tied, the game goes into overtime, where the first team to score two points wins.
Fredette's role in the team is crucial, both as a leader and a player. His experience and skills have been instrumental in guiding Team USA to the Paris Olympics, and expectations are high. The group stage at the Olympics will follow a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals. Teams finishing third to sixth will battle it out in the quarterfinals, leading up to the medal round set for August 5.
Jimmer Fredette’s journey from college basketball stardom to 3x3 Olympic hopeful encapsulates the resilience and adaptability of an athlete who has navigated the highs and lows of a professional career. As the Paris Olympics approach, all eyes will be on Fredette and his teammates as they strive to conquer the world stage in this dynamic and exhilarating format of basketball.