During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette captivated the college basketball world as a star player at BYU. His prowess on the court led him to earn Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season, guiding BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year and amassing a record 2,599 career points—the most in Mountain West history. Drafted No. 10 overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft, Fredette's NBA career, however, proved to be a rollercoaster ride.
"Obviously the NBA career was very up-and-down, but that doesn't just happen to just me," Fredette reflected. "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 journey, Fredette found success playing overseas and eventually ventured into the rapidly growing 3x3 basketball format. His transition into 3x3 basketball has been both a personal and professional renaissance, earning him the title of 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year. This recognition underscores his instrumental role in Team USA's qualification for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Fredette will headline the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics, a significant comeback after Team USA failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games in 3x3 basketball. The 2024 Paris Games mark the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event, and Fredette's leadership will be pivotal as Team USA looks to secure a podium finish. The team, consisting of Fredette, Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, faces fierce competition from Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in a round-robin format.
Team USA's journey to the Olympics has been marked by notable performances, including a second-place finish at the 2024 World Cup, just behind Serbia. With Serbia holding fourth place on the world leaderboard and having won bronze in Tokyo, and Latvia reigning as the Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball with a third place at the 2023 World Cup, the path to Olympic success will not be easy. Yet, the round-robin format provides ample opportunities for Team USA to demonstrate its skill and strategy. The top two teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals, while the teams finishing between third and sixth will face off in the quarterfinals, with the medal round set for August 5.
3x3 basketball is a high-intensity sport, played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. Each game starts with a coin toss to determine which team begins on offense or defense. There is no inbounds pass after a made basket; instead, possession changes immediately, and players must dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot. Points are scored as one point for a field goal or two points if shot from beyond the arc, and the game is won either by the first team to score 21 points or by having the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter. If the game is tied at the end of the quarter, the first team to score two points in overtime emerges victorious.
"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 3×3 basketball and it's different than five-on-five."
Fredette's journey from college basketball superstar to Olympic 3x3 basketball contender is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. His ability to pivot and excel in the face of changing circumstances has not only reignited his career but also positioned him as a cornerstone of Team USA's 3x3 basketball aspirations. As the Paris Olympics approach, all eyes will be on Fredette and his teammates as they strive to bring home Olympic glory in this dynamic and fast-paced sport.