During the early 2010s, basketball fans were captivated by the prolific scoring abilities of Jimmer Fredette, a standout player at BYU. In the 2010-11 college basketball season, Fredette earned prestigious Naismith and Player of the Year honors, and led BYU to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year. His remarkable skill on the court culminated in a record-setting 2,599 career points – the most in Mountain West history.
The Sacramento Kings recognized his talent, drafting Fredette No. 10 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, his NBA career faced numerous challenges. Reflecting on his time in the league, Fredette shared, "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."
After his stint in the NBA, Fredette found success playing overseas and eventually ventured into the 3x3 basketball format, a shorter and faster-paced version of the traditional 5-on-5 game. "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," Fredette explained.
Heading to Paris 2024
Fredette will take his talents to the international stage once again, headlining the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics in the summer of 2024. This event marks the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event. Team USA's roster is bolstered by notable players including Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. The team made an impressive mark by finishing second at the 2024 World Cup, just behind Serbia.
In the 2020 Tokyo Games, Team USA fell short of qualifying for the 3x3 basketball event, a disappointment they aim to rectify in Paris. As the reigning Olympic champion, Latvia poses a significant challenge, having also secured third place at the 2023 World Cup. Serbia, a strong contender, holds fourth place on the world leaderboard and clinched a bronze in Tokyo. Team USA will compete in a rigorous round-robin format against top teams from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. The top two teams from this 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 set for August 5.
The Fast-Paced World of 3x3 Basketball
3x3 basketball differentiates itself from the traditional game in several key ways. Played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, the format requires quick decision-making and rapid execution. Field goals are worth one point each, or two points if shot from beyond the arc. Unique to this format, there are no inbounds passes after a made basket. Instead, the game begins with a coin toss to determine which team starts on offense or defense. Possession changes after each made basket, and players must dribble or pass the ball outside the arc before attempting a shot.
A game ends when a team is the first to score 21 points or has the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter. In the event of a tie after the quarter, the first team to score two points in overtime secures the victory. This dynamic and condensed format adds layers of strategy and intensity, demanding both physical and mental agility from its players.
Fredette's journey from college sensation to global 3x3 competitor is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. His recognition as the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year underscores his impact on the sport. As Team USA prepares for the Paris Olympics, Fredette's leadership and scoring prowess will be instrumental in their quest for gold.