Jimmer Fredette's Journey from NCAA Stardom to Olympic Aspirations in 3x3 Basketball
Jimmer Fredette, a name once synonymous with dominating collegiate basketball, is now making waves in the world of 3x3 basketball. The former BYU standout, who captured the Naismith College Player of the Year award, has added another accolade to his decorated career: USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year in 2023.
Fredette's collegiate career was marked by his explosive scoring and leadership. He led BYU to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, etching his name into the annals of college basketball history. His performances earned him the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. However, despite the promise, Fredette's NBA career proved to be a rollercoaster ride.
Reflecting on his NBA journey, Fredette stated, "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."
Transitioning from the traditional 5-on-5 format to 3x3 basketball, Fredette found a new arena to showcase his skills. This adaptation has been instrumental in qualifying Team USA for the 2024 Olympics. Despite the Americans' failure to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games, Fredette sees the challenge and unpredictability of 3x3 as both a draw and a test of resilience.
"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 shared.
Fredette joins a talented Team USA roster featuring Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry as they prepare to compete on the global stage. In a format that emphasizes speed and precision, teams play on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. Field goals are worth one point, while shots from beyond the arc score two. The game continues with possession changing after each basket, and the first team to reach 21 points, or the leader after a single 10-minute quarter, claims victory. In the event of a tie, the first team to score two points in overtime wins.
In the build-up to the 2024 Olympics, Team USA will face a formidable array of opponents, including Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands during pool play. With a robust competition format, the top two teams in the group advance directly to the semi-finals, while the third to sixth-placed teams vie in the quarterfinals for a spot in the final four. The much-anticipated medal round is set for August 5.
Looming large in the competition is Serbia, who outperformed Team USA to finish first at the 2024 World Cup. Serbia, ranked fourth globally, clinched the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, reflecting their consistent performance. Adding to the challenge are Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion, who secured third place at the 2023 World Cup.
As Fredette continues to navigate an ever-evolving athletic career, his story serves as a testament to adaptability and perseverance. "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 said.
With the Olympic stage set for the summer of 2024, Fredette and his teammates aim not just to compete but to bring home gold, showcasing the skill, determination, and unique excitement that 3x3 basketball brings to the global sports arena. As the sports world watches, Fredette's journey from college stardom to the relentless grind of 3x3 basketball represents not just a new chapter, but a story of embracing transformation and seizing opportunities amidst changing tides.