Greatest Moments From Jimmer Fredette’s Basketball Career
Apr 23, 2025, 12:05 PM | Updated: Apr 24, 2025, 10:08 am
Jimmer Fredette has officially retired. Looking back at the greatest moments of his career. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Jimmer Fredette has officially retired from basketball.
The BYU legend put together one of the most outstanding careers in program history. Along the way, basketball fans marveled at his long-range shots and ability to be a walking bucket.
It’s time to say goodbye to basketball. I have loved every second of my career through the good and the bad! Thank you all for the support throughout the years. Basketball has made me who I am today. Excited for what is next in my life with my family! pic.twitter.com/Rx4r8Y4yfG
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) April 23, 2025
A native of Glens Falls, New York, Fredette picked BYU over Siena coming out of high school. The local legend in New York went on to stardom at BYU, became an NBA lottery pick, and later an Olympian.
Here are 10 of the greatest moments from Jimmer Fredette’s storied basketball career.
1. Naismith Player of the Year
During the 2010-11 college basketball season, the great debate was whether Jimmer Fredette or UConn’s Kemba Walker should be named player of the year.
Jimmer ultimately came out on top, earning the Naismith Player of the Year honors.
Happy birthday to Jimmer Fredette, our 2011 @jerseymikes Naismith Men’s College POY 🎉🎂
Fredette was the leading scorer in all of NCAA Division I basketball during his senior season with @BYUMBB ‼️ pic.twitter.com/nSFTIAuRI7
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) February 25, 2022
Fredette became the second BYU basketball player to earn the award, joining Danny Ainge in 1981.
In 2011, Fredette averaged 28.9 points per game, shooting 39.6% from three and 89.4% from the free throw line.
2. Sets BYU record with 52 points against New Mexico in the MWC Tournament
Jimmer Fredette dropped 52 points in the 2011 Mountain West Conference Tournament Semifinals against New Mexico. The performance remains a single-game BYU basketball record for points scored.
Even more impressive is that he only attempted one free throw to reach 52 points.
Fredette was 22-of-37 from the field and 7-of-14 from 3-point range.
BYU took down New Mexico 87-76 to advance to the Mountain West Tournament Championship Game.
3. Leading BYU to the Sweet 16 in 2011
The nation was experiencing a case of “Jimmermania” as Fredette led 3-seed BYU to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
Fredette led BYU past Wofford in the first round, then the Cougars took down Gonzaga, 89-67, to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1981.
Jimmer’s 34-point performance against Gonzaga earned him a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated after the first week of the NCAA Tournament.
BYU’s NCAA Tournament run ended after they lost to Florida in the regional semifinals.
4. Cougar fans gathered around Jimmer after BYU defeated San Diego State in Provo
Cougar fans will forever view BYU’s win over undefeated and No. 4 San Diego State in Provo as one of the greatest games in the Marriott Center.
Fredette was spectacular in guiding No. 9 BYU past the Aztecs, scoring 43 points on 14-of-24 shooting from the field. Jimmer knocked down five of his eight three-point attempts.
After the game, BYU fans stormed the Marriott Center floor and gathered around Fredette.
Tip your hat to a great performance by Jimmer Fredette. http://plixi.com/p/72732399
— Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) January 27, 2011
Former San Diego State linebacker Kirk Morrison snapped a picture from his front row seat showing the sea of Cougar Nation cheering on their hero.
5. Reaching the Olympic Games with Team USA 3×3
After a recommendation from ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, Jimmer Fredette explored playing 3×3 basketball with Team USA. He committed himself to the game, which led to Fredette’s reaching the Summer Olympic Games in 2024.
Unfortunately, Fredette suffered an injury in the second game of his team’s pursuit of a Gold Medal, which sidelined him for the remainder of the games.
6. Setting the record for points scored at Arizona’s McKale Center
On December 28, 2009, Jimmer Fredette dropped 49 points on the Arizona Wildcats. To this day, it remains the most points scored by a player at Arizona’s McKale Center.
Holding that record is impressive, given the talented players who have played games inside the McKale Center.
The Arizona faithful were impressed as Fredette received a standing ovation when he checked out of the game in BYU’s 99-69 victory over the Wildcats.
Fredette’s 49 points were also the single-game BYU record for points before he broke that record with 52 against New Mexico.
7. Selected No. 10 overall in the 2011 NBA draft
After Fredette’s decorated BYU career concluded, he was off to the NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Fredette with the 10th pick, but then his draft rights were traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Fredette spent six seasons in the NBA.
8. “The Lonely Master” drops 75 points in a Chinese Basketball Association game
Jimmer Fredette’s pro career had a stop in China with the Shanghai Sharks. During his third season with Shanghai in 2018, Fredette dropped 75 points against Beikong.
Fredette consistently put up huge numbers in China, earning the nickname, “Jimo Dashen,” which is Chinese for “The Lonely Master.”
9. “From 40 feet” shot at Utah to cap off an incredible first half
One of the greatest halves by a BYU basketball player took place in a BYU/Utah game in 2011 at the Huntsman Center. Jimmer Fredette scored 32 points in the half, and he capped off the first 20 minutes with a 40-foot shot at the horn.
Watch for yourself.
10. 24 points at Madison Square Garden
Jimmer Fredette’s career-high in the NBA was a 24-point performance against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 12, 2014.
The Sacramento Kings won the game in overtime, 106-101. However, what made the performance special is that Fredette grew up in Glens Falls, New York, and to have a pro career-high in “The Mecca” made it a special performance for Fredette.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
