During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette became a household name in college basketball, dazzling fans with his scoring prowess at BYU. Known for his sharpshooting and remarkable ability to take over games, Fredette earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season. He guided BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive time that year and set a record with 2,599 career points, the most in Mountain West history.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and Fredette is preparing to make headlines once again, this time on the global stage. He will lead the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics, a tremendous milestone in his diverse and storied career.
A New Path in 3x3 Basketball
After being drafted No. 10 overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA Draft, Fredette experienced an up-and-down NBA career. Reflecting on his journey, Fredette said, "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."
In pursuit of continued success on the court, Fredette found opportunities overseas before eventually transitioning to the 3x3 basketball format. His commitment to the sport and his team's efforts led to his recognition as the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year.
The Evolution of a Sport
3x3 basketball, an exciting variation of traditional 5-on-5 basketball, is played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. In this fast-paced game, a field goal is worth one point or two points if shot from beyond the arc. Notably, there is no inbounds pass after a made basket, and the game begins with a coin toss to determine which team starts on offense or defense.
Fredette offered his perspective on the unique nature of 3x3 basketball, saying, "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."
Olympic Aspirations
Team USA, captained by Fredette, failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games in 3x3 basketball. However, with Fredette's leadership, they have successfully secured a spot for the 2024 Paris Games. The Paris Games mark the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event.
Joining Fredette on Team USA are notable players such as Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. Team USA's 3x3 roster recently finished second at the 2024 World Cup behind Serbia, a formidable opponent that currently holds fourth place on the world leaderboard and secured a bronze in Tokyo.
The Road to Paris
As the competition heats up, Team USA will face several strong teams, including Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands, in a round-robin format. 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. The medal round is scheduled for August 5, a date that promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the journey.
The goal in 3x3 basketball is to be the first team to score 21 points or to have 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 wins, adding an element of drama and excitement to the competition.
Fredette's transition to the 3x3 format and his integral role in the U.S. team's pursuit of Olympic glory have showcased his resilience and adaptability as an athlete. As the Paris Olympics approach, all eyes will be on him and his teammates as they strive to bring home the gold and further solidify the growing prominence of 3x3 basketball on the world stage.