Former BYU Star Jimmer Fredette Speaks On Choosing To Retire, New 3×3 Role
May 8, 2025, 12:04 PM
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 17: 3x3 Basketball athlete Jimmer Fredette speaks during the Team USA Media Summit at Marriott Marquis Hotel on April 17, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images for the USOPC)
(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images for the USOPC)
SALT LAKE CITY – Retirement is always a tough decision for professional athletes, but BYU basketball legend Jimmer Fredette felt the time was right with the 3×3 front office role presented to him.
Fredette joined the KSL Sports Zone to reflect on his career and also look ahead to his next chapter.
Jimmer Fredette Retires, Steps Into Front Office Role With 3×3 Basketball
Although the 3×3 managing director role was offered before he officially hung up his sneakers, Fredette said the decision to retire was far from easy.
Fredette explained that a combination of factors — his age, conditioning, and an Olympic injury — all pointed in the same direction.
Ultimately, he chose to call it a career and transition into USA Basketball’s front office.
“It was difficult,” Fredette said. “It’s something that I put so much time and effort into. I love the grind of playing basketball, working out, and getting better. But, mentally and physically, I just wasn’t there anymore. That’s when I knew it was time for me to hang it up.”
🇺🇸 #3x3MNT Managing Director @jimmerfredette on the plaza this morning in NYC! pic.twitter.com/AO7hFnVjMd
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) May 8, 2025
Now, Fredette remains in the sport he loves — but with a completely different perspective.
He shared that 3×3 holds a special place in his heart, and he’s excited to help other athletes experience the same joy it brought him.
“3×3 was near and dear to my heart,” Fredette said. “I was able to get better at it and compete. They felt like there weren’t many guys out there with that 3×3 opportunity and experience to be able to put in a managing director role. It’s a complete honor. I’m excited about the role and what it entails.”
The next big event to look forward to is the FIBA 3×3 World Cup which will take place from June 23 to 29 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
About Jimmer Fredette
Born in New York, Jimmer Fredette played for BYU from 2007-11.
As a senior in 2011, the guard led BYU to a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and an appearance in the Sweet 16.
His senior season performance earned him the Naismith Player of the Year award and he was consensus 2011 national player of the year.
During his time at BYU, Fredette averaged 18.7 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting, including 39.4 percent from beyond the arc. He played in 139 games for the Cougars.
Draining 2s in a football stadium hits different 🪣@jimmerfredette x 🇺🇸 #3x3MNT pic.twitter.com/phynUh7b2H
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) April 7, 2024
Following his senior season, Fredette was drafted into the NBA with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Fredette has played professionally since 2011, including spending time in the NBA with five different franchises. He’s played for the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, and Phoenix Suns.
From 2022 to 2025, Fredette played 3×3 basketball for Team USA. In April 2025, he announced he would be retiring from professional basketball and stepping into a managing director role for USA 3×3 basketball.
