During the early 2010s, college basketball enthusiasts would remember the electrifying performances of Jimmer Fredette, the former BYU star. Fast forward to the summer of 2024, Fredette will take on a new challenge as the headliner of the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics.
Fredette's Road to the Olympics
This summer, Fredette will make his Olympic debut when Team USA faces off against Serbia in Paris. It's been over 13 years since Fredette earned Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season, guiding BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time. His college career etched his name into history with 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 journey had its highs and lows. Reflecting on it, he remarked, "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."
Changing Courts: Embracing 3x3 Basketball
After his stint in the NBA, Fredette found his niche playing overseas and eventually ventured into the 3x3 format, a different beast compared to the traditional five-on-five. "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 3×3 basketball and it's different than five-on-five," he explained.
For Team USA, this will be their inaugural appearance in the 3x3 basketball event at the Olympics after failing to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games. The 2024 Paris Games will be the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event.
Team USA's Composition and Challenges
Joining Fredette on the roster are Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, the son of former NBA star Rick Barry. The squad has already shown promise, finishing second at the 2024 World Cup behind Serbia. Notably, Serbia holds fourth place on the world leaderboard after bagging a bronze in Tokyo, and Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion, remains a formidable contender after securing third place at the 2023 World Cup.
Team USA will compete against seven other teams in a round-robin format: Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. The competition structure is brutal. The top two teams from the group automatically advance to the semi-finals, while those finishing between third and sixth face off in a high-stakes quarterfinals to secure a spot in the final four. The medal round is slated for August 5.
The Intricacies of 3x3 Basketball
3x3 basketball, played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, is a fast-paced and intense game. Each field goal is worth one point or two points if shot from beyond the arc, and there's no inbounds pass after a made basket. The game kicks off with a coin toss, determining which team starts on offense or defense. The format demands quick decision-making, as possession changes after each made basket, and players need to dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot.
A team wins either by being the first to score 21 points or by having the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter. If the game is tied after the quarter, the first team to score two points in overtime secures the victory.
Fredette: A New Chapter
Recognized as the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, Fredette has been instrumental in Team USA's journey to the Paris Olympics. His leadership and shooting prowess will be crucial as the team strives for Olympic glory. For Fredette, this represents a new chapter in a storied career, one where he continues to defy expectations and leverage his experiences to make a significant impact on the international stage.
With the stage set in Paris, all eyes will be on Fredette and Team USA as they navigate the high-paced, emotionally charged world of 3x3 basketball, aiming for a triumphant addition to their sporting legacies.