Jimmer Fredette, a university basketball star in Byu who became a choice of NBA lottery, then played for the United States in 3×3 basketball at the Paris Olympic Games from last year, his retirement announced on Wednesday.
“Basketball took me to this world: from Glens Falls NY to Byu, NBA, China, Greece and even from the American team to the Olympic Games!” Fredette wrote in an article on social networks. “This game and my love for that have transformed me into the person I am today and for that, I am eternally grateful. So many memories and incredible moments. It was not always easy, but it was always worth it! The next trip begins now.”
In Byu, Fredette led the country with 28.9 points per game in 2010-2011 and won the honors of the national player of the consensual year while leading the cougars at their first Sweet 16 appearance in 30 years.
Fredette, 36, was choice n ° 10 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2011 draft before being exchanged to the Kings of Sacramento. He spent parts of six seasons in the NBA with Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans, New York and Phoenix.
He also played professionally in China and Greece, winning the MVP Award in Chinese Basketball Association in 2017. Fredette experienced 70 and 75 points in China, one of which he scored 60 points after half.
The best years of his playing career may have been his last, when he turned his attention around 3×3. Fredette was a star in this quick and a half match for the United States, helping the Americans win gold medals at the Americup Fiba 3×3 2022 and 2023 games and with pan-American games as well as money at the FIBA 2023 World Cup. He was the 3×3 male athlete of the year of American basketball in 2023.
He entered the Paris Olympic Games as the best classified 3×3 male player in the world, the Americans ranked n ° 2 in the world. But Fredette underwent an adductive muscle injury at the start of the tournament, and the United States per rule could not replace him on his list of four men for the Paris Games, so the Americans had to play the rest of the Olympic Games with three players and no substitute.
“I owe a lot of who I am today in this game and it is not easy to say goodbye as a player,” wrote Fredette. “But the time has come.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
