Jimmer Fredette: From College Sensation to 3x3 Basketball Olympian
If you watched college basketball during the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette is a name that surely rings a bell. Known for his scintillating performances at BYU, Fredette captured the Naismith College Player of the Year award and led his team to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. Thirteen years after his collegiate success and an unconventional professional journey, Fredette is set to don the Team USA jersey as a first-time Olympian in 3x3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Fredette's Path to the Olympics
Fredette's professional career has been a rollercoaster. Selected as the 10th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft, he encountered numerous hurdles and never quite found the stable footing many had anticipated. "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," Fredette remarked. Nonetheless, he remained undeterred, taking opportunities wherever they arose and eventually carving out a niche for himself overseas.
In 2023, his perseverance paid off when he was named USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year for his instrumental role in qualifying Team USA for the 2024 Olympics, a notable achievement given the Americans failed to make the cut for the 2020 Tokyo games. Fredette joins a talented roster featuring Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, son of NBA legend Rick Barry.
The 3x3 Format
This summer marks only the second time 3x3 basketball will be recognized as an official Olympic event. The sport is distinct from traditional five-on-five basketball, featuring a half-court setup, a 12-second shot clock, and unique game rules. Field goals are worth one point, with shots beyond the arc earning two points. Following each basket, irrespective of a make or miss, the ball changes possession, eliminating the traditional inbounds pass.
Fredette shed light on the nature of 3x3 basketball: "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."
The format introduces a dynamic and fast-paced style of play, with the first team to reach 21 points or the team with the most points after a single 10-minute quarter emerging victorious. In the event of a tie, the first team to score two points in overtime clinches the win.
Olympic Aspirations and Competition
Team USA will compete against top-tier teams, including Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in pool play, which commences on Tuesday. As per the tournament's structure, the top two teams in the group stage automatically advance to the semi-finals, while the third to sixth-placed teams battle it out in the quarterfinals for a spot in the final four. The medal round is slated for August 5, with the Americans hopeful of securing their first podium finish.
Despite finishing second behind Serbia at the 2024 World Cup, Team USA remains a formidable contender. Serbia, ranked fourth globally after clinching the bronze medal in Tokyo, will be a significant hurdle. Meanwhile, Latvia, the reigning Olympic Champion, is widely regarded as a strong favorite to defend their title after placing third at the 2023 World Cup.
In many respects, Fredette's journey encapsulates the spirit of resilience and adaptability. "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. This summer, Fredette's hard work and faith in his abilities will be put to the test on a stage unlike any other—one where dreams are realized and legends are born.