Jimmer Fredette, the celebrated former BYU basketball standout, has decided to resume his playing career, a move that means he is stepping down as the managing director of USA Basketball's men's 3x3 program. This decision, announced Tuesday by Fredette and USA Basketball, marks his return to competitive play for the first time in more than two years.
The 37-year-old Fredette is expected to compete this weekend in a FIBA 3x3 tournament in Phoenix. His return to the court positions him for a potential bid to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, an event he had previously intended to guide from an administrative standpoint through his USA Basketball role.
Fredette had held the managing director position for approximately 18 months, with plans to lead the program through the 2028 Games. However, Fredette told The Associated Press that the idea of playing again began to "creep into my mind" roughly three to four months ago. This occurred despite him feeling content being home as a full-time father and coach, with no initial inclination to return to competition. He acknowledged a feeling of "unfinished business" regarding his previous playing stint.
His prior retirement from playing in April 2025 followed a challenging experience at the Paris Olympics. Fredette entered those Games as the top-ranked 3x3 men's player globally and led a U.S. team considered a serious medal contender. However, he suffered an adductor muscle injury early in the tournament. Due to rules, the U.S. could not replace him on its four-man roster, forcing the team to play the remainder of the Olympics with only three players and no substitutes. The U.S. team subsequently lost five of its seven games and finished seventh.
While playing in the 2028 Olympics is in his plans, Fredette emphasized to The Associated Press that his immediate focus is on re-entering competitive play. He stated his current goal is to participate in "one tournament, and just see how I play and see how I feel" to determine if he can regain his previous form. He expressed that he would have regrets if he didn't give himself the opportunity to compete again, as he believes he still possesses the ability to play. The U.S., as the Olympic host, is already qualified for the 2028 Games.
Fredette remains a significant figure in local sports, widely remembered for his collegiate career at BYU. He was named the 2011 AP men's college basketball player of the year after averaging a nation-leading 28.9 points per game as a senior. After BYU, he was an NBA lottery pick and played parts of six seasons in the league. His career also extended internationally, with stints in Europe and Asia, where he notably scored at least 70 points in two different games while playing in China. He later transitioned into 3x3 basketball after being convinced to try the format, which led to his initial Olympic appearance.
The decision to return to playing was not an easy one for Fredette, particularly concerning his departure from USA Basketball. He discussed the idea with his wife, Whitney, who he said had anticipated his eventual return to the court. With her "approval and support," Fredette felt he could commit fully to his comeback. He conveyed concerns about putting USA Basketball in a difficult position, but USA Basketball officials ultimately assured him he should pursue playing again if that was his desire.
Jay Demings, USA Basketball 3x3 national team director, released a statement expressing gratitude for Fredette's extensive contributions as managing director of the men's 3x3 program. Demings added that USA Basketball is "excited to have Jimmer return as a player on Team Miami," a team of which Fredette is a founding member, at the upcoming FIBA 3x3 Phoenix Challenger.
Fredette’s former managing director position at USA Basketball is not being filled immediately. Instead, USA Basketball’s board of directors has directed the federation's 3x3 National Team Committee to identify coaching staffs and players for major international competitions through 2028.