During the early 2010s, no name in college basketball shone brighter than Jimmer Fredette. The BYU standout amassed an astonishing 2,599 career points, setting a Mountain West record that may be hard to eclipse. His accolades include the prestigious Naismith Award and Player of the Year honors for the 2010-11 season. Fredette's brilliance guided BYU to the Sweet 16 for two consecutive seasons, etching his name in the annals of collegiate basketball history.
Fast forward to 2024, and Fredette is preparing to add another chapter to his storied career. This time, however, the spotlight will be on an international stage as he headlines the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics. The journey from college sensation to Olympic headliner has been anything but smooth for Fredette, whose NBA tenure included being drafted No. 10 overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2011. Reflecting on his NBA days, 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 NBA career, Fredette found considerable success overseas. Yet, the allure of the 3x3 basketball format pulled him back into the sport. Recognized as the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, Fredette didn't just adapt to the new format; he excelled. "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.
In Paris, Fredette will be joined by a talented roster consisting of Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. The team has already proven its mettle, finishing second at the 2024 World Cup behind a dominant Serbian squad. This performance serves as a promising precursor to their Olympic quest, although Team USA faces formidable competition from Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. Commencing with a round-robin format, the top two teams will directly advance to the semi-finals, while those finishing between third and sixth will clash in the quarterfinals, all culminating in the medal round scheduled for August 5.
The 2024 Paris Games will mark just the second time 3x3 basketball is recognized as an official Olympic event. Introduced in the Tokyo 2020 Games, the format has quickly captivated audiences with its fast-paced, high-intensity matches. Each game unfolds on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, and field goals are worth either one point or two if taken from beyond the arc. Unique aspects like the absence of inbounds passes after made baskets and the necessity for players to clear the ball beyond the arc before attempting a shot add layers of strategy and speed. A game concludes when a team either scores 21 points or has the highest tally after a single 10-minute quarter. Should the scores be tied after regulation, the first team to score two points in overtime clinches the win.
Team USA's roster features seasoned players, but they will need to leverage every bit of their skill and experience to contend with reigning Olympic champion Latvia, as well as a sturdy Serbian team that finished fourth in the Tokyo Games and grabbed a bronze medal. Latvia, currently the Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball, also secured third place at the 2023 World Cup. Such stiff competition underscores the high stakes and intensity that will be on display in Paris.
Fredette's journey, from his scintillating college days to his turbulent NBA stint and newfound success in 3x3 basketball, embodies resilience and adaptability. His leadership and scoring prowess will be central to Team USA's ambitions in Paris. As the countdown to the Olympics continues, fans and pundits alike will watch with keen interest to see if Fredette can once again rise to the occasion and lead his team to glory on the grandest stage of them all.