The former BYU star is back in the NBA. According to reports, Jimmer Fredette has agreed to a deal with the Phoenix Suns.
Guard Jimmer Fredette has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Team option on second season for Fredette, who is returning to NBA once he receives his clearance from China.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 21, 2019
Fredette was a star in college at Brigham Young University, where he stayed all four years. His best season at BYU was his senior year. He averaged 28.9 points in 37 games. He was also the 2011 National College Player of the Year in his final year. Fredette declared for the 2011 draft and was drafted 10th by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks traded him to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal. He played with the Kings for three years before briefly signing with the Bulls for the rest of the 2013-2014 season. Then, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in the the 2014 offseason. His final stop in the NBA was with the New York Knicks and their G-League affiliate the Westchester Knicks. He played with them from 2015-2016. Then, he left the NBA and went to play in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Fredette played for the Shanghai Sharks during his stint in the CBA. He put up massive numbers in his three years with the Sharks. In 2017, Fredette once scored 73 points in a double overtime loss. He averaged 37.6 points in 2016-2017 and 36.9 in 2017-2018. This season, Fredette averaged 36.0 points and 2.6 steals.
Fredette also won the CBA MVP in 2017. He made a name for himself in the CBA. His NBA career did not work out as expected. He averaged 6.0 points and shot 38.1 percent from the 3-point line. Fredette has another chance to continue his NBA career.
Fredette went to Instagram to confirm the signing. He posted a picture of him with a Suns jersey and a caption that reads: “It’s official! Excited to be the newest member of the @suns! Thanks to all who have supported me throughout these last 3 years in China! And thanks to the Suns organization for the opportunity! Time to get to work!”
Fredette’s deal with the Suns is a two-year deal, but the Suns have a team option in 2019-2020.
The Suns are a young, lottery-bound team. They have a record of 17-56. If the Suns receive the first pick of the 2019 draft, they could acquire a player such as Zion Williamson. The Suns are a lottery team but not for long. If they make the right moves, they can become a playoff team. The addition of a veteran like Fredette gives a young team much-needed experience.
Fredette’s NBA return is well deserved and he’ll need to take advantage of it. The next chapter of his journey begins and it starts with the Suns. This is the ideal opportunity for Fredette to redeem himself.
Featured image courtesy of Sports Illustrated
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