The dream of Olympic glory for Jimmer Fredette and the United States 3x3 men’s basketball team has hit a significant roadblock.
At this point, the Americans are trying to avoid a last-place finish.
Not only are the United States off to a staggeringly slow start in pool play at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but Fredette has been sidelined with an apparent leg injury — perhaps one that could be career-ending for the 35-year-old former BYU star.
After the United States lost its first of two pool play games Thursday — 20-18 to Lithuania — when Fredette did not come off the bench, KSL’s Sam Farnsworth reported that Fredette is “game-to-game with a lower-body injury,” citing a statement from USA Basketball.
BYUtv’s Spencer Linton later reported Fredette is “questionable to play” the remainder of the Olympics — this comes one day after Fredette was treated for an injury in the Americans’ loss against Poland, though he returned to action in that game after the treatment.
Fredette’s teammate Dylan Travis told USA Today that the Americans found out in a team meeting before facing Lithuania that Fredette would be unavailable.
“We all shed some tears. It’s emotional,” Travis told USA Today. “He’s worked his whole career, and came out of retirement to do this. He’s been working two years for it. For him not to be able to play, just feel bad for him.”
Fredette was clearly limping during introductions when the United States took the floor against Lithuania, and it quickly became apparent that he wasn’t likely to play — the USA Network broadcast reported that Fredette was dealing with a groin strain.
With the sharp shooter absent, the Americans managed to build an early 10-6 lead against Lithuania before wearing down. Lithuania made 4 of 9 2-point buckets against the U.S., including two critical ones from Gintautas Matulis after the Americans briefly took a one-point lead with just under 1:30 to play.
Still, the Americans fought back despite trailing by as much as 20-15.
Following a leaning 2-point shot from Travis and a successful free throw after a Lithuania technical, Canyon Barry actually had a chance to force overtime at the buzzer, but his 2-point straightaway shot clanked off the front of the rim.
“I had a clean look,” Barry told Yahoo Sports. “I honestly thought it was good when it left my hand.”
In their nightcap game that was delayed by inclement weather, the United States lost again, this time 21-19 to Latvia.
This one was more agonizing than the other losses, as the Americans, despite leading 19-15 at one point, simply wore down again.
The Americans showed determination in building an early lead over Latvia, but the unbeaten Latvia squad battled back to go ahead 12-11.
Over the next two and a half minutes, Travis hit back-to-back 2-pointers and Barry and Kareem Maddox both scored as the Americans went up 19-15 with two minutes to play.
Latvia’s Nauris Miezis, though, answered with two 2-pointers to tie the game going into the final minute, and Latvia wrapped up the comeback against an exhausted U.S. team with a pair of 1-pointers from Karlis Lasmanis.
That puts the Americans at the bottom of the pool play standings — at 0-4 — with three games to play. The bottom two teams in the standings will be eliminated at the end of pool play.
“I think you’ve got to prepare like it’s us three and hope for the best that he can come back,” Travis told Yahoo Sports.
With Fredette relegated to the sideline and the Americans still winless at the Olympics, the United States heads into Friday’s action in desperate need of some good fortune to keep their Olympic hopes going beyond the end of pool play Saturday.
“He’s put in so much … he’s like family to us. So when one of your family is hurting and down, everyone’s down,” Barry told USA Today about Fredette. “So saying prayers for him. He’s such a good human being.”
Men’s pool play standings through four games
- Latvia — 4-0
- Serbia — 3-1
- France — 2-2
- Lithuania — 2-2
- Netherlands — 2-2
- Poland — 2-2
- China — 1-3
- United States — 0-4
3x3 basketball format at the Olympics
Fredette’s U.S. squad is one of eight men’s 3x3 teams taking part in the 2024 Olympics.
During the pool round, which is ongoing, each team plays each of the other seven teams. That means the U.S. team, which has played four games so far and has a record of 0-4, has at least three games left at the Olympics — two on Friday and one on Sunday.
At the end of the pool round, the eight 3x3 teams will be ranked according to their records, and teams will start being eliminated.
“The top two teams advance to the semifinals, while the bottom two are eliminated. The other four teams will compete in a play-in round (third vs. sixth, fourth vs. fifth), with the winners advancing to the semifinals,” per ESPN.
3x3 basketball rules
In addition to having a different tournament format than 5x5 basketball, 3x3 basketball has different rules.
- In 3x3 basketball, shots made from inside the arc are worth 1 point, while shots from beyond the arc are worth 2 points.
- Free throws are also worth 1 point.
- The game is played on a court that’s about half the size of a typical basketball court, and there’s only one basket.
- Games end when one team makes it to 21 points or after 10 minutes.
Thursday’s game between the U.S. and Lithuania ended after 10 minutes because neither team made it to 21.
How to watch Jimmer Fredette at the Olympics
The U.S. men’s 3x3 basketball team will play two more pool play games on Friday. The Americans will face France at 10:35 a.m. MDT, before taking on China at 2:35 p.m. MDT.
The first game will air on NBC, with the second on E! Both games will stream on Peacock.