Former BYU Star Jimmer Fredette Announces Retirement from Basketball

PROVO, Utah – Jimmer Fredette, a former college basketball standout at Brigham Young University and NBA player, announced his retirement from professional basketball on Wednesday at the age of 36.

Fredette, who gained national fame while playing for BYU, was named the Associated Press Player of the Year in 2011 after averaging 28.9 points per game. He led the Cougars to the Sweet 16 during that season, becoming a household name in college basketball.

After being selected as the No. 10 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, Fredette was traded to the Sacramento Kings. He went on to play for the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, and the New York Knicks over his six-season NBA career.

Beyond the NBA, Fredette shined in international basketball, particularly in China, where he played for the Shanghai Sharks. There, he became a dominant scorer, winning the CBA MVP in 2017, and achieving single-game highlights with scores of 70 and 75 points. He was also named USA Basketball’s 3×3 male athlete of the year in 2023.

His recent participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics as part of Team USA’s 3×3 basketball squad ended prematurely due to an adductor muscle injury. The injury forced the team to compete without a full roster during the tournament.

In a heartfelt statement, Fredette reflected on his journey, writing, “Basketball has taken me all around this world… This game and my love for it has shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I am forever grateful.”

With his retirement, Fredette concludes a remarkable 14-year career that included accolades from college to international levels, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.