Former Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette makes big career decision
Jimmer Fredette’s professional basketball career began 14 years ago when he made his NBA debut with the Sacramento Kings.
It ended Wednesday when he announced his retirement, saying he is “forever grateful” for the game that made “Jimmermania” a global phenomenon.
“Basketball has taken me all around this world: from Glens Falls NY, to BYU, the NBA, China, Greece, and even Team USA at the Olympics!” Fredette wrote in a social media post.
“This game and my love for it has shaped me into the person I am today and for that I am forever grateful. So many memories and amazing moments. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it! The next journey starts now.”
Fredette, 36, gained fame as a sharpshooter at BYU, where he was named college basketball’s player of the year in 2011 after leading the nation in scoring at 28.9 points per game. The Milwaukee Bucks selected Fredette with the No. 10 pick in the 2011 NBA draft and subsequently traded him to Sacramento.
Fredette appeared in 171 games over three seasons with the Kings, averaging 7.0 points in 15.0 minutes per game while shooting 40.2% from 3-point range. He later played for the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, but the 6-foot-2 guard never had much success during his six seasons in the NBA.
Fredette also played professionally in China and Greece, including stints with the Shanghai Sharks and Panathinaikos. He was named Chinese Basketball Association MVP in 2017 and won a Greek League championship in 2020.
Fredette also won two gold medals in international competition and represented Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics as a member of USA Basketball’s first 3x3 men’s national team.
“I owe a lot of who I am today to this game and it’s not easy to say goodbye as a player,” Fredette said. “But the time has come.”
