During the early 2010s, college basketball fans couldn't get enough of Jimmer Fredette, the sharpshooting guard from BYU. With his incredible scoring ability and penchant for dramatic moments, Fredette lit up the court, leading BYU to prominence. Most notably, he earned both Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season, while guiding the Cougars to the Sweet 16 two years in a row. By the end of his college career, Fredette had scored a jaw-dropping 2,599 points, setting a record in Mountain West history.
The NBA was the natural next step for Fredette, who was drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, his professional journey in the league was marked by inconsistency. Reflecting on his NBA tenure, Fredette shared, "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."
Despite the challenges, Fredette remained undeterred. As the old saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. Fredette found success playing overseas and continued to showcase his skills on the international stage. In recent years, he's ventured into the world of 3x3 basketball, a format that will make its second appearance as an official Olympic event in Paris next year.
Stepping onto the 3x3 Stage
Fredette has quickly established himself as a force in the fast-paced 3x3 game. Recognized as the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, he has been instrumental in leading Team USA's charge toward the Paris Olympics. "The way this sport works, you either really like it or you don't like it at all," Fredette explained. "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."
The 2024 Paris Olympics
Fredette will headline the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics, joining Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry on the roster. This marks a significant milestone for Team USA, which failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games. The 2024 squad aims to make a strong showing after finishing second at the 2024 World Cup, just behind Serbia.
The competition in Paris will be fierce. Team USA will face a round-robin format against top teams like Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup and remains a formidable opponent. Serbia, holding the fourth spot on the world leaderboard, is also a team to watch, having taken bronze in Tokyo.
Game On: 3x3 Basketball
For those new to 3x3 basketball, the rules differ significantly from the traditional five-on-five game. Played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, a field goal is worth one point or two points if shot from beyond the arc. There's no inbounds pass after a made basket; instead, possession changes hands immediately. A team wins by reaching 21 points first or by having the highest score at the end of a single 10-minute quarter. If the game is tied after regulation, the first team to score two points in overtime claims victory.
Road to the Medal
The top two teams from the round-robin stage will advance to the semi-finals, while the teams finishing between third and sixth will battle it out in the quarterfinals. The medal round is set for August 5, a date circled on every fan's calendar. Fredette's leadership and scoring prowess will be crucial as Team USA aims to clinch a medal in Paris.
With his journey from college star to international sensation, Fredette embodies resilience and adaptability. His story, marked by highs and lows, serves as an inspiration to many. As he prepares to lead Team USA onto the Olympic stage, fans can't help but root for this remarkable athlete who never stops believing in himself.