Pan American Games 2023: Top things to know about USA 3x3 Basketball star Jimmer Fredette and his Paris 2024 Olympic quest

There will be one man sure to be at the centre of the attention when the United States men’s 3x3 basketball team begin the defence of their title at the Pan-American Games 2023 in Santiago, Chile.

Making his debut at the multi-sport extravaganza is Jimmer Fredette, a former NBA player and college basketball superstar famed for being the face of “JimmerMania” - a hoop-centric craze that he instigated with his mastery of the three-point shot.

The 34-year-old American, at a crossroads in his five-on-five basketball career, made the transition to halfcourt over a year ago and the results he has helped generate for the US since have been quietly remarkable.

With his sights firmly set on the Paris 2024 Olympics, where 3x3 will return following its debut at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, Fredette has become a top prospect to represent the USA should the men’s team successfully qualify.

Here’s what you need to know about his journey so far.

• Santiago 2023: U.S. 3x3 hoops a new challenge for coach Jennifer Rizzotti

A 3x3-inspired beginning

Born in Glen Falls, New York, Fredette first picked up a basketball after watching his older siblings play.

Itching to join, a young Fredette worked hard to catch up with his family members, insisting on joining in as his older brother and friends played.

“When my brother was out there shooting baskets, I was out there dribbling on the side and working on my game as much as I could when I was that age,” Fredette told NBC Sports.

“I started playing probably around five years old, and then just kept growing into it and I’ve loved the sport ever since.”

As he continued to hone his basketball talent, Fredette would often play three-on-three basketball out in the streets and parks, as well as play in organised half-court tournaments.

“That’s where I learned how to play,” Fredette told the Olympics.com podcast. “Now to have it come full circle and have an opportunity to play for Team USA would be an incredible experience.”

• Jimmer Fredette daring to dream: JimmerMania all over again in 3x3 basketball at Paris 2024?

Jimmer Fredette: BYU superstar and “JimmerMania”

By the end of high school, Fredette received offers from 12 schools and ultimately opted for Brigham Young University (BYU).

There, he unleashed his scoring skills with his senior year in particular a standout.

Averaging 29 points a game, he became a national star, known as the player who would drain three points at will, no matter the defence designed to stop him.
Following a victory over San Diego State, featuring future NBA star Kawhi Leonard, Fredette’s stock exploded after he scored 43 points and “JimmerMania” ensued.

People in their droves would come out to support him, with professors asking him to stop coming to class, such was the demand for his autograph. He was all over social media while teams he scored many points against were considered “Jimmered”.

Fredette left college at the peak of popular culture and his powers. He was unanimously named the 2011 National Player of the Year and was awarded the 2011 Best Male College Athlete ESPY.

It was a college career that would be recognised as one of the greatest to this day.

Jimmer Fredette and an NBA Odyssey

Following his electric senior year, it was taken as a given that Fredette’s talents would translate across to the NBA.

And when he was selected with the No.10 pick of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, it seemed guaranteed that “JimmerMania” would continue.

However, the NBA career he had worked all his life for never quite panned out.

After stints at the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and New Orleans Pelicans over five seasons, Fredette left the NBA unsigned.

“Sometimes things just don’t work out and it’s hard to really explain. I just wish I’d had more confidence, just gone out there and played my game and whatever happened, happened,” Fredette told Olympics.com reflecting on why he was never quite able to find his feet in the NBA.

“I was trying to fit in too much, not make mistakes, so I could stay on the floor, and that’s not the way to play. So, as I grew in my career I was like, ‘Alright, I just gotta be me again’ and that’s what made me be successful playing overseas.”

Seasons in the People’s Republic of China for the Shanghai Sharks, and then Greece, helped Fredette rediscover stability and confidence, but the months away from his family eventually became unsustainable.

In 2019, he returned briefly to the Phoenix Suns, and in 2022 there were even conversations about heading to the Utah Jazz, but they ultimately went nowhere.

USA Basketball’s 3x3 invitation

Just as Fredette was deliberating on whether he could continue playing abroad with his young family of three children at home waiting, the American received an offer he couldn’t refuse.

USA Basketball’s Fran Fraschilla reached out, offering Fredette a path to Paris 2024 via 3x3 basketball.

**“**I said ‘absolutely’ for an opportunity to be able to try to qualify for the Olympics,” the basketball star told Olympics.com.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed about my entire life and obviously won’t be playing on the five-on-five team but to be able to play basketball at the Olympics representing Team USA? This is an unbelievable opportunity so right from the get-go I’m like ‘Fran, I’m in. Whatever I need to do this is what I want to do’.

“I have been obsessed with the Olympics ever since I was three, four years old. I mean, I watch every Olympics and I watch every event. I’m locked in when the Olympics are on. From day until night, it’s always on at least one TV. So, to have an opportunity to be a part of that would be a dream come true for me literally. 

"I want to dive into this and make the best out of it. It fits extremely well with my lifestyle and I’m unbelievably excited about it.”

Jimmer Fredette: Thriving in the world of 3x3

Fredette hasn’t been gracing the halfcourt for all that long, yet it’s clear he has found a home in 3x3.

In 2022, the sharpshooter got off to a strong start in the new discipline when he took gold at AmeriCup with USA.

This year, at the 2023 3x3 FIBA World Cup in Vienna, Fredette put on a masterclass as he guided the USA to silver, just falling at the final hurdle against six-time champions Serbia in the final.

For his 59-point tournament, his individual efforts were rewarded with selection to the Team of the Tournament.

More recently, as part of Miami, the US men’s 3x3 World Tour team, Fredette, Kareem Maddox, Canyon Barry and Dylan Travis secured America’s first 3x3 World Tour Masters title since 2019 after winning in Cebu.

The foursome came from behind against Vienna to clinch the win in the final with their victory showing just how far the team, and the country, has come in the men’s event.

Now, Fredette is in his debut Pan American Games, at Santiago 2023, where Team USA won both their group games, with Fredette top scoring in each, to make it through to the quarter-finals with a perfect record. The man known for delighting fans and coming up clutch will be sure to put on a show in the knockout stages.