Jimmer Fredette Announces Return To China, Shanghai Sharks
Sep 6, 2020, 9:01 PM
Jimmer Fredette #32 of Shanghai Bilibili Sharks shoots the ball during the 2018/2019 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League tenth round match between Beijing Beikong Fly Dragons and Shanghai Bilibili Sharks at Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium on November 11, 2018 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
(Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
Guess who’s back? Back again. Jimmer Fredette’s back. Tell your friends.
Former BYU great Jimmer Fredette announced on his personal social media channels that he is continuing his pro basketball career with a familiar franchise. Fredette is returning to China to play in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Shanghai Sharks.
“It’s been a really fun summer with the family, but it’s time to get back to work. I’m going back to … Shanghai,” exclaimed Fredette while holding his two children.
🦈🦈🦈 pic.twitter.com/dggnXJ26sq
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) September 7, 2020
In three previous years with the Sharks from 2017-2019, Fredette averaged 37 points per game. Two years ago, Fredette dropped 75 points in a CBA game.
According to a report in July from Sportando, Fredette is signing a contract worth $1.6 million. Not bad money amidst a global pandemic.
Last season, Fredette played in the EuroLeague for Greece’s Panathinaikos. The owner for Panathinaikos fulfilled a dream by landing Fredette to a two-year contract. In one pandemic shortened season, Fredette averaged 12.9 points and hit 41 percent of his three’s in EuroLeague play.
COVID-19 cut short the EuroLeague, forcing teams to cut back salary. Fredette, one of the highest-paid players on Panathinaikos’ roster was let go allowing him to return to China to play for the Sharks.
During his first stint with the Sharks, Fredette earned the nickname “Jimo Dashen”. Which is Chinese for “The Lonely Master”.
Fredette is one of two American born players now on the Sharks roster. The other is former NBA point guard Ray McCallum.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
