'Jimmermania' to hit FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023 as Fredette eyes Paris Olympics

DENVER (USA) - The half-courts had a taste of 'Jimmermania' late last year but the fanfare will go into overdrive during this upcoming FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2023

Jimmer Fredette remains hugely popular across the globe after an NBA career where he played for six teams followed by successful stints in Greece and China.

The 33-year-old, however, is most remembered for his spectacular college career at BYU which earned him a legion of fans leading to 'Jimmermania'.

Fredette was lured into 3x3 last year and made an immediate splash at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2022, where he helped steer Team USA to a successful title defense.

Bringing the heat to Miami, Fredette hit a number of clutch shots, including the two-piece to push USA past Puerto Rico in a tight final.

 

"To be able to win the gold for Team USA is special," Fredette told the Olympics.com podcast.  "The other three guys were the veterans and I was the newer guy.

"I was just trying to figure it out, make the right play and score. "

Fredette said 3x3 was different to three-on-three informal versions he was used to growing up. 

"When I started watching (3x3) originally, I thought 'man this is going to be exhausting and tiring'. But also fun because of the super fast pace," he said.

"It's basically a sprint the whole time. You can play three or four minutes without a stoppage. 

"You have to know your game plan and the other team's. You have to do all of that while you're tired. "

 

A walking bucket and sniper from deep, Fredette has the firepower well-suited to the fast and furious 3x3. 

"It gets tiring but it's catered to my game, which I like," he said. "In 3x3, it's one-on-one and a spread out game....I felt like that served my game well.

"It's all about moving the ball quickly and playing a fast pace, but not out of control. 

"It's a thinking man's game. You have to think on the fly, know your foul count. Playing in a couple of tournaments has helped me figure it out quickly."

Training in Denver, near USA Basketball's headquarters, Fredette is getting prepared for his debut season on the World Tour. 

"It fits exactly what I want to do at this stage of my career and just feels right," he said. "I want to dive into this and make the most out of it. "

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FIBA3x3 (@fiba3x3)

 

The 6ft. 2in (1.88m) Fredette is ultimately eyeing the Paris Olympics next year in a bid to lead USA to redemption after the men's team failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games.

"I've been obsessed with the Olympics since I was three or four years old," he said.  "To represent Team USA is an unbelievable opportunity."

3x3 might just prove a fitting farewell to an incredible hoops journey for Fredette and ensure, in the meantime, that his army of fans stay tuned to his every move on the half-court. 

"It's (3x3) been rejuvenating for me," he said. "If I was to win a gold in 3x3 in Paris that would be a fairy-tale ending.

"To go out on that note would be unbelievable. "

FIBA 

Wilson sponsor logo - WT Utsunomiya 2023
  • ML sponsor logo - WT Utsunomiya Opener 2023