Jimmer Fredette is an American professional basketball player whose scoring exploits at Brigham Young University made him one of the most celebrated college players of his era. Known simply as “Jimmer,” he was the consensus national college player of the year in 2011 and a prolific scorer whose long-range shooting created a nationwide phenomenon known as “Jimmermania.” After a career that took him through the NBA, the top Chinese and European leagues, and onto the Olympic stage as a 3×3 player, he retired in 2025, only to return to competition in 2026 to resume his 3×3 career with USA Basketball. He remains one of the most beloved figures in college basketball history.
Jimmer Fredette Biography, Wiki
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | James Taft Fredette |
| Nickname | Jimmer |
| Date of Birth | 25 February 1989 |
| Age (2026) | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Glens Falls, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Position | Guard |
| College | Brigham Young University (BYU) |
| NBA Draft | 2011, first round, 10th overall |
Jimmer Fredette Details
| Area | Detail |
| College | A record-setting scorer and star at BYU |
| Honour | The 2011 national college player of the year |
| NBA | A first-round pick who played several seasons |
| China | A CBA International MVP and multiple-time All-Star |
| 3×3 | An Olympic 3×3 player for the United States |
| Comeback | Returned from retirement to play in 2026 |
Jimmer Fredette Events
| Year | Event |
| 25 February 1989 | Born in Glens Falls, New York |
| 2007 to 2011 | Starred at Brigham Young University |
| 2011 | Named national college player of the year |
| 2011 | Drafted 10th overall in the NBA Draft |
| 2016 to 2020 | Starred in China and Greece |
| 2024 | Played 3×3 for the US at the Paris Olympics |
| 2026 | Came out of retirement to resume 3×3 play |
Jimmer Fredette Early Life and High School
Jimmer Fredette was born James Taft Fredette on 25 February 1989 in Glens Falls, New York, and grew up in the area, where he became a local basketball legend. A standout at Glens Falls High School, from which he graduated in 2007, he set scoring records and drew wider attention for his shooting ability. His prolific high-school career established him as a promising prospect, and he went on to accept a scholarship to play college basketball at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Jimmer Fredette College Career
Jimmer Fredette became a national sensation during his college career at Brigham Young University from 2007 to 2011. A dynamic, deep-range scorer, he lit up college basketball, leading the nation in scoring and captivating fans with his long-distance shooting and clutch performances, a craze that came to be known as “Jimmermania.” In his senior season in 2011 he was named the consensus national college player of the year, won the NCAA scoring title, and earned consensus first-team All-American honours, among a host of other awards. He set multiple school records, and BYU later retired his No. 32 jersey in his honour.
Jimmer Fredette Professional Career
Jimmer Fredette in the NBA
Jimmer Fredette was selected tenth overall in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, entering the league amid high expectations following his celebrated college career. He played several seasons in the NBA for a number of teams, including the Sacramento Kings, and he had stints in the NBA Development League, where he earned All-Star and All-League honours and was named an All-Star Game MVP. Although his NBA career did not reach the heights of his college stardom, he remained a respected professional guard and a fan favourite throughout his time in the league.
Jimmer Fredette in China and Europe
Jimmer Fredette found some of his greatest professional success overseas. In 2016 he joined the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, where he became a superstar, earning the CBA International MVP award in 2017 and being named a three-time CBA All-Star across his four seasons in China. He became renowned for extraordinary scoring feats, including games of 70 and 75 points. He also played in Europe, winning a Greek League championship with the storied club Panathinaikos during the 2019-20 season, further burnishing his international reputation as an elite scorer.
Jimmer Fredette in 3×3 Basketball
Jimmer Fredette reinvented his career in the fast-paced discipline of 3×3 basketball after his conventional professional playing days wound down. Beginning in 2022, he represented the United States in 3×3 competition, rising to become the top-ranked 3×3 men’s player in the world and being named USA Basketball’s 3×3 Male Athlete of the Year in 2023. He achieved a career highlight in 2024, when he competed for the United States at the Paris Olympics, part of the country’s first-ever Olympic 3×3 men’s team, though his tournament was cut short by injury.
Jimmer Fredette’s Retirement and Comeback
Jimmer Fredette announced his retirement from competitive basketball in April 2025, following his Olympic experience, and shortly afterward took on the role of managing director of USA Basketball’s men’s 3×3 national team, moving into a front-office position. His time away from the court proved temporary, however. In September 2026, he announced that he was coming out of retirement to resume his playing career, stepping down from his managing-director role to rejoin Team Miami on the FIBA 3×3 Pro Circuit. He returned to competition after more than two years away, with a potential eye toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the profile presents his status factually as an active player once more.
Jimmer Fredette’s Playing Style
Jimmer Fredette is renowned as one of the most gifted pure scorers and long-range shooters of his generation, famous for his ability to make shots from well beyond the three-point line and to score in high volume. Standing 6 feet 2 inches and playing guard, he combines deep shooting range, ball-handling and a scorer’s instinct that made him a phenomenon in college and a prolific point producer as a professional. These same skills, particularly his shooting and one-on-one scoring, translated effectively to the 3×3 game, where he became a world-class competitor.
Jimmer Fredette Personal Life
Jimmer Fredette is married to his wife, Whitney, and the couple have children together. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which he has spoken about as an important part of his life, he is also involved in charitable work. He cited the inspiration of his wife and family as a key factor in his decision to return to competition in 2026. He has generally balanced his high-profile basketball career with his family life, and he remains a hugely popular figure, particularly among BYU fans and the wider college-basketball community.
Jimmer Fredette Height and Physical Profile
Jimmer Fredette stands 6 feet 2 inches, or 1.88 metres, tall and plays the guard position. While not physically imposing by professional-basketball standards, his exceptional shooting touch, deep range, scoring instinct and skill have been the foundation of his success at every level, from record-setting college basketball to the professional leagues of China and Europe and the Olympic 3×3 stage.
Jimmer Fredette Net Worth and Earnings
Jimmer Fredette has earned substantial income over his career through his NBA contracts, his lucrative playing stints in China and Europe, his 3×3 career and his endorsements, as one of the most marketable names in basketball following his college fame. While various sources estimate his net worth in the millions of dollars, a precise, reliably verified figure is not firmly established, so this profile does not assert a single definitive number. Because published figures vary, any estimate should be treated with caution.
| Source | Detail |
| Net worth | Estimated in the millions (varies, treat with caution) |
| Main income sources | His NBA, overseas and 3×3 careers and endorsements |
Jimmer Fredette Social Media
Jimmer Fredette maintains a popular presence on social media, where he shares his basketball career, his comeback and his life with a large following of fans from his college days and beyond, and where he announced his return to competition.
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
| @jimmerfredette | Career and personal content | |
| Public information | Basketball and sports media | How news about him is reported |
Jimmer Fredette Controversies
No significant personal controversy involving Jimmer Fredette surfaced in the material examined for this profile. Coverage of him has focused overwhelmingly on his celebrated college career, his professional and international exploits, his 3×3 and Olympic play, and his 2026 comeback, rather than on any off-court matter.
Lesser Known Facts About Jimmer Fredette
- His full name is James Taft Fredette.
- He was born and became a legend in Glens Falls, New York.
- He inspired a nationwide craze known as “Jimmermania.”
- He was the 2011 national college player of the year.
- He scored 70 and 75 points in China.
- He won a Greek League title with Panathinaikos.
- He came out of retirement in 2026 to resume 3×3 play.
Jimmer Fredette FAQ
Who is Jimmer Fredette?
He is an American professional basketball player, a BYU legend and 2011 national college player of the year, and a former NBA guard and Olympic 3×3 player.
How old is Jimmer Fredette?
Born on 25 February 1989, he will be 37 years old in 2026.
Is Jimmer Fredette retired?
He retired in April 2025 but came out of retirement in September 2026 to resume his 3×3 basketball career with USA Basketball.
What is Jimmer Fredette best known for?
He is best known for his record-setting, phenomenon-inducing college career at BYU and being the 2011 national player of the year.
What NBA teams did Jimmer Fredette play for?
He was drafted 10th overall in 2011 and played for teams including the Sacramento Kings during his NBA career.
Did Jimmer Fredette play in the Olympics?
Yes, he played 3×3 basketball for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Where did Jimmer Fredette play overseas?
He starred for the Shanghai Sharks in China, where he won CBA International MVP, and won a Greek title with Panathinaikos.
Where is Jimmer Fredette from?
He was born in Glens Falls, New York.
What is “Jimmermania”?
It was the nationwide craze surrounding Fredette’s spectacular scoring during his college career at BYU.
Why did Jimmer Fredette come out of retirement?
He said he realised he still had more to give, and cited the inspiration of his wife and family, returning to 3×3 competition in 2026.
Sources
Deseret News, Jimmer Fredette is coming out of retirement,
https://www.deseret.com/sports/2026/09/15/jimmer-fredette-coming-out-of-retirement-usa-basketball/
Yahoo Sports, Jimmer Fredette is coming out of retirement, returning to 3×3 USA Basketball
competition,
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jimmer-fredette-coming-retirement-returning-151053695.html
Arizona Sports, Jimmer Fredette unretires from basketball, will play this weekend in 3×3 tournament in Phoenix,
https://arizonasports.com/nba/jimmer-fredette-unretires-basketball-will-play-weekend-fiba-tournament-phoenix
Times Union (via Yahoo), Jimmer Fredette coming out of retirement to resume 3×3 basketball career,
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jimmer-fredette-coming-retirement-resume-182914746.html