An Unfinished Journey: Jimmer Fredette's Road to Paris 2024
During the early 2010s, Jimmer Fredette captivated the college basketball world with his electrifying play at BYU. Known for his extraordinary range and scoring ability, Fredette earned Naismith and Player of the Year honors in the 2010-11 season, guiding the Cougars to their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance and setting a Mountain West record with 2,599 career points. Despite these achievements, his professional career in the NBA didn't unfold as many anticipated.
"Obviously the NBA career was very up-and-down, but that doesn't just happen to just me," Fredette reflects. "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's next door led him overseas, where he found success playing professional basketball in various leagues. Yet, it was in an entirely new format—3x3 basketball—where Fredette discovered a fresh chapter in his sporting career. This summer, he will headline the U.S. 3x3 men's basketball team at the Paris Olympics in 2024, a testament to his ability to adapt and excel in different environments.
Fredette's influence on the team has been palpable. Named the 2023 USA Basketball 3x3 Male Athlete of the Year, he was instrumental in Team USA's journey to Paris. However, the path to Olympic qualification wasn't straightforward. Team USA failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games, making their presence in Paris even more significant.
"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 explains.
The 3x3 Basketball Format
The 2024 Paris Games mark the second time 3x3 basketball will be recognized as an official Olympic event, following its debut in Tokyo. Unlike traditional basketball, 3x3 is played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock. Each field goal is worth either one point or two points if shot from beyond the arc. Unique to this format, there's no inbounds pass after a made basket. Instead, teams must take the ball outside the arc before attempting a new shot.
Games begin with a coin toss to determine which team starts on offense or defense. Possession changes after each made basket, and the game can be won in two ways: either by being the first team to score 21 points or by having the highest score after a single 10-minute quarter. In the event of a tie, the first team to score two points in overtime clinches the victory.
Team USA: Paris 2024
Fredette is joined on Team USA by Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry. The team recently showcased their potential by finishing second at the 2024 World Cup, narrowly falling to Serbia, a formidable opponent that holds fourth place on the world leaderboard and won bronze in Tokyo.
Latvia, the reigning Olympic champion in 3x3 basketball, secured third place at the 2023 World Cup and poses another significant challenge. As Team USA vies for a top spot, they will compete in a round-robin format against Serbia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, China, and the Netherlands. The top two teams from this group will advance directly to the semi-finals, while those finishing between third and sixth will face off in the quarterfinals. The medal round is set for August 5.
Fredette's journey from a college basketball phenom to an Olympic contender in the 3x3 format is a story of resilience and adaptation. As he leads Team USA in Paris, his tenacity and skill will be pivotal. Whether they secure a medal or not, Fredette's impact on and off the court underscores the evolving narrative of an athlete who never stops redefining boundaries.