During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette's name was synonymous with college basketball excellence. As a player at Brigham Young University (BYU), Fredette set the court on fire, becoming one of the most compelling athletes of his time. His 2010-11 season was particularly remarkable, earning him Naismith and Player of the Year honors while guiding BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. Fredette's prolific scoring ability was unparalleled, ending his collegiate career with a staggering 2,599 points, the highest in Mountain West history.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and Fredette is set to headline the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics, a testament to his enduring athleticism and versatility. By venturing into the 3x3 basketball format—a high-paced, half-court version of the game—Fredette found a new avenue to showcase his skill set. This journey follows an NBA career that Fredette himself describes as "very up-and-down."
"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," Fredette reflected.
Following his stint in the NBA, where he was drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2011, Fredette found considerable success overseas. But it was his foray into 3x3 basketball that rejuvenated his career, leading to him being named the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year. Fredette has been instrumental in Team USA's journey to the Paris Olympics, contributing significantly to their qualification efforts.
Unlike the traditional 5-on-5 game, 3x3 basketball is an intense, fast-paced variant played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. In this format, a field goal can earn one point or two points if shot from beyond the arc, and there's no inbounds pass after a made basket. "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 3x3 basketball and it's different than five-on-five," Fredette explained.
At the Paris Games, which marks the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event, Fredette will lead a talented Team USA roster alongside Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. This team finished second at the 2024 World Cup, coming in behind Serbia, which holds fourth place on the world leaderboard and previously bagged a bronze in Tokyo. Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup and remains another formidable contender.
The competition in Paris will be fierce, with Team USA set to face opponents like Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands in a round-robin format. From this initial pool, the top two teams will advance to the semi-finals, while those finishing between third and sixth place will face off in the quarterfinals. The medal round is slated for August 5, promising an intense showdown for the ultimate prize.
A 3x3 game features unique rules and a format designed to maximize excitement and speed. Possession changes hands after every made basket, and players must dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a new shot. The game is decided either by the first team to score 21 points or by whoever has the highest score at the end of a single 10-minute quarter. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, the first team to score two points in overtime secures victory.
Fredette's role in Team USA's resurgence in this exhilarating format cannot be overstated. His scoring prowess and leadership have been pivotal, offering hope and excitement to a nation eager for basketball glory on the Olympic stage. As the countdown to the Paris Games continues, all eyes will be on Fredette and his teammates to see if they can bring home the gold in this electrifying version of the game.