Jimmer Fredette, the electrifying BYU basketball legend whose long-range shooting and fearless style captivated college basketball fans over a decade ago, announced his retirement from professional basketball on Wednesday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. With a simple, heartfelt message, Fredette closed the chapter on a globe-trotting career that took him from NCAA stardom to the NBA, and then across continents in pursuit of the game he loved.
“I’ve given this game everything I have,” Fredette wrote. “It’s time to step away. Grateful beyond words for the journey. Thank you, basketball.”
Fredette, now 36, first gained national fame during the 2010–2011 NCAA season when he led Brigham Young University to a Sweet Sixteen appearance while averaging an astonishing 28.9 points per game. He became a cultural phenomenon—nicknamed “Jimmermania”—for his seemingly unlimited shooting range, deep three-pointers, and clutch performances. That season earned him the John R. Wooden Award and consensus National Player of the Year honors.
Selected 10th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and immediately traded to the Sacramento Kings, Fredette entered the league with immense expectations. While he never quite found his footing in the NBA—playing for five teams over parts of six seasons—his determination never wavered. He adapted, reinvented, and carved out new paths, showing the world that his love for basketball extended far beyond any single league.
Fredette’s post-NBA career flourished overseas. He became a megastar in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he played for the Shanghai Sharks and later the Phoenix Suns. In 2017, he averaged over 36 points per game in the CBA, earning MVP chants from Chinese fans who dubbed him “The Lonely God” for his dominant individual performances on often outmatched teams.
In 2021, Fredette pivoted again, this time turning to 3×3 basketball—an Olympic-sanctioned variation of the sport that demands pace, toughness, and precision. He joined Team USA’s 3×3 squad and quickly became one of its top players. His leadership helped elevate the team’s international profile, with many young fans discovering him for the first time in this new format.
Though retirement often signals finality, Fredette’s announcement carried a sense of peace rather than regret. In interviews over the past year, he spoke often of wanting to spend more time with his family and to mentor young players. His legacy, especially at BYU, is untouchable—his No. 32 jersey retired, his records etched into the school’s lore.
“I played with joy, with heart, and with purpose,” Fredette’s statement concluded. “Now I get to live with those same values off the court.”
While the hardwood may no longer echo with Jimmer’s fadeaway jumpers and quick-release threes, his impact remains indelible. He leaves the game not with a whisper, but with the legacy of a true baller—one who defied limits, crossed borders, and inspired millions through the purity of his passion.
