Jimmer Fredette is ending his brief retirement in order to resume playing for the United States men’s 3×3 national basketball team.
Fredette announced the decision in a video posted Tuesday on USA Basketball 3×3’s official X account:
According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Fredette is stepping down from his role as managing director of the USA men’s 3×3 national team, and he is likely to play in the FIBA 3×3 Phoenix Challenger this weekend.
By coming out of retirement, Fredette is positioning himself to potentially be part of the USA men’s 3×3 team at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Fredette, 37, is best known for starring collegiately at BYU where he averaged 25.6 points per game over his final two seasons and was named National College Player of the Year in 2011.
The sharpshooting guard was selected 10th overall in the 2011 NBA draft, but he never managed to establish himself as a major contributor.
Over six NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, Fredette averaged 6.0 points, 1.4 assists and 1.0 rebound per game.
Fredette enjoyed greater success overseas in China and Greece, but he seemingly found his calling stateside in 2022 when he began playing for the United States 3×3 national team.
He helped lead Team USA to a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup and later represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
However, Fredette suffered a torn adductor during the Olympics, which caused him to miss most of Team USA’s games. The Americans finished 2-5 and did not medal.
Although Fredette retired last year to take an administrative role with USA 3×3 basketball, his return could allow him a chance at Olympic redemption in two years.
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