New York Knicks: Jimmer Fredette’s Long Road Back to NBA
It wasn’t easy, but Jimmer Fredette has traveled the long road back to the NBA. A new VICE Sports documentary offers a great look at how he made that happen.
In early January, it was revealed that New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson was a, “Fan,” of Jimmer Fredette. It was, perhaps, the most ringing endorsement Fredette had received since becoming a star at the Division I level.
Now a member of the Knicks’ main roster, Fredette has been granted the opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of the masses.
Fredette’s journey from superstardom to a 10-day contract is comparable to few. We all know the story, but no one has quite been able to capture and tell it in a way that accurately illustrates this unorthodox career path.
VICE Sports stepped up to the plate and provided a brilliant look at Fredette’s path from college basketball stardom to his current fight for a spot on the Knicks’ main roster.
From becoming a college basketball legend to struggling to make an NBA roster, Fredette’s story is one that needs to be told.
Fredette was once one of the most popular athletes in the country. Many have chastised him for falling so far from grace, but this video shows how hard he’s worked in the face of adversity.
Considering how many have crumbled under the pressure of perceived failure, Fredette being able to swallow his pride and accept a short-term role in the NBA D-League is quite admirable.
Fredette had an excellent collegiate career with the BYU Cougars, but he rose to fame during the 2010-11 season. The senior point guard won National College Player of the Year, led all Division I players in scoring, and firmly cemented his place as one of the all-time great players at that level.
With an uncanny ability to shoot from anywhere on the court, Fredette was to college basketball what Stephen Curry is to the modern NBA.
Since being drafted at No. 10 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, however, Fredette has become a forgotten face. Despite maintaining a career 3-point field goal percentage of .381, he’s played for five teams in as many seasons, including a stint with the San Antonio Spurs that was cut short before the regular season could begin.
Since joining the Westchester Knicks in the NBA D-League, Fredette has commenced the process of getting his swagger back.
In 30 games played for Westchester, Fredette averaged 21.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.1 3-point field goals made per game. He did so on an efficient slash line of .464/.405/.908, which inevitably piqued New York’s interest.
The icing on the cake was Fredette scoring a record 35 points during the NBA D-League All-Star Game—a feat that earned him MVP honors.
Moving forward, Fredette will look to prove that he belongs. Interim head coach Kurt Rambis said that he’d have to outplay someone who’s on the roster to maintain his spot, and Fredette began that process by making his only field goal attempt—a 3-pointer that brought the crowd to its feet—during his Knicks debut.
For those who missed it, Fredette’s New York debut included chants of, “We want Jimmer,” from the Madison Square Garden crowd.
As illustrated in the VICE Sports documentary, Fredette is willing to do whatever it takes to make it in the NBA. Shots like that will certainly help.
The question is, can he earn a bigger and more consistent role in New York? Or will his stint end upon the completion of his 10-day contract?