Jimmer Fredette, the guy who walked away from competitive 3×3 basketball a mere 18 months ago, is officially back on the court and ready to hoop. USA Basketball just dropped the news Tuesday: Fredette, who called it quits back in April 2025, has been officially added to Team Miami for the rest of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Men’s Pro Circuit. Get ready, because he’s set for his season debut this coming weekend at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Phoenix Challenger.
Stepping Down to Step Up
This isn’t just some casual return, either. Fredette isn’t just lacing up his shoes, he’s making a major move to do it. He’s stepping down from his role as the managing director for the USA Basketball men’s 3×3 national team, a job he took on right after his retirement announcement. This shows his commitment. We’re talking about the former Glens Falls High School legend, who then became a college star at Brigham Young, before a professional career spanning the NBA and overseas. He’s got that competitive fire burning, no doubt.
Fredette himself laid it out in a news release: “When I retired from the game I love 18 months ago, I was at peace. As my time removed from the halfcourt extended, I realized I still have something left. The possibility to come back came with the inspiration of my wife and family. I am focused on helping the USA Basketball 3×3 program achieve new heights. I am thankful for the support and encouragement as I take on this challenge.” The man is 37 years old, and he’s still got that undeniable competitive itch.
A History of Pure Dominance
Let’s not forget who we’re talking about here. Fredette was once the No. 1-ranked 3×3 player in the entire world. He was on the U.S.’s very first 3×3 men’s Olympic team in 2024. He was crowned the 2023 USA Basketball 3×3 Male Athlete of the Year after leading Team USA to a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup. And he’s got gold medals from the 2023 Pan American Games and the 2022 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup sitting on his shelf. His 3×3 resume is just stacked!
His traditional basketball career was legendary too. He wrapped up his high school days at Glens Falls in 2007 with 2,404 points, leading them all the way to the 2007 NYSPHSAA Class A state championship game and holding Section 2’s all-time boys’ basketball career scoring record. Then at BYU, he shattered Danny Ainge’s career scoring record, became a unanimous national player of the year as a senior in 2010-11 by averaging 28.9 points per game, powered BYU to the Sweet 16, and even made the cover of Sports Illustrated. After being drafted 10th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, he had a six-season NBA run, playing 241 games with the Kings, Bulls, Knicks, and Suns, before heading overseas to the Shanghai Sharks in 2016 and becoming the CBA International MVP in 2017. What a journey!
What’s Next for Team Miami
So now, Fredette is officially stepping in for the injured Dylan Travis on Team Miami. His new teammates? Riley Battin, Henry Caruso, Mitch Hahn, James Parrott, and Jackson Trapp. Jay Demings, USA Basketball 3×3 national team director, stated, “USA Basketball is grateful for the extensive time Jimmer gave to our 3×3 men’s program as Managing Director. We are excited to have Jimmer return as a player on Team Miami, a team he is a founding member of, at the FIBA 3×3 Phoenix Challenger.”
This weekend, all eyes in the 3×3 world are going to be glued to the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Phoenix Challenger. What’s at stake here? Fredette himself said he’s focused on helping the USA Basketball 3×3 program achieve “new heights.” After 18 months away from the halfcourt, can the former world No. 1 still dominate the competition? We’re about to find out in Phoenix, and it’s going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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