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Jimmer Fredette profile
Drafted #10 in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Kings
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Weight: 196 lbs (89 kg)
Position: PG
High School: Glens Falls High School (New York)
Hometown: Glens Falls, NY
College: BYU
Current Team: The Money Team
Win - Loss: 0 - 1
Jimmer Fredette Draft Combine Interview

Articles

DX Podcast: Jonathan Givony and David Locke

DraftExpress
DraftExpress
Jun 07, 2011, 12:11 pm
What type of transition will he have to make in the NBA? Will he be a starter in the NBA? What's his ceiling?

Analyzing the 2011 NBA Combine Measurements

Matt Williams
Matt Williams
May 21, 2011, 11:29 am
Jimmer Fredette measured in a shade above 6-foot at 6-0 ¾, and registered a respectable 6-4 ½ wingspan. By no means is he a specimen amongst point guards, but he compares pretty well to Stephen Curry (6-2 without shoes, 6-3 ½ wingspan) and ranks just a touch behind Deron Williams (6-1 ¾ without shoes, 6-6 ¼ wingspan).

NBA Combine Interviews: Jimmer Fredette, Alec Burks, Charles Jenkins

DraftExpress
DraftExpress
May 21, 2011, 10:11 am

Jimmer Fredette Video Breakdown

Sebastian Pruiti
Sebastian Pruiti
Apr 13, 2011, 01:38 pm
Sebastian Pruiti, in his debut post on DraftExpress, takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of Jimmer Fredette, with the help of BYU game-film from this past season.

Jimmer Fredette Strengths/Weaknesses Video


Watch in full screen mode by clicking button in upper right hand corner of video


Strengths

- Shooting Ability: The fascination with Jimmer Fredette starts with his shooting ability, where he seems to show unlimited range, and is a threat to take and make a shot as soon as he crosses half-court.

The type of shot doesn't matter to Fredette, who can knock down threes off of the dribble, coming off of screens, or in catch and shoot situations. Within BYU's offense, Fredette has the freedom to shoot whenever he wants, and that is such a threat to the defense because he can knock down both open and closely contested shots consistently.

- Midrange Shooting: Fredette's ability to knock down contested shots while off-balance is extremely beneficial. Fredette's shooting ability and freedom to pull up at any moment keeps the defense off balance and this allows him to get shots up over longer, more athletic defenders.



- Passing: Clips of Fredette attempting long pull-up threes have given him the reputation as a selfish gunner, but this is hardly the case. Yes, BYU's offense started and finished with Fredette, but he always seemed to be a willing passer, able to hit the open man if the defense starts to focus too much on him. In addition, Fredette is a strong enough ball handler with either hand to get himself to spots on the court where he is a threat, forcing help. When that help comes, Jimmer is able to get the ball to the open man.

Weaknesses

- Defense: For Fredette, the biggest concern for scouts is on the defensive end, and rightfully so, since playing defense is his biggest weakness.

Fredette's average, at best, athletic ability really hurts him on this end as his poor lateral quickness allows him to get beat by quicker ball handlers. Despite not having the tools to play tough defense, the most worrying thing might be his mindset on the defensive end. Fredette almost seems disinterested defensively, and this leads to poor help and poor positioning off of the basketball. Even worse, when he does get beaten by his man with the ball, he tends to give up instead of trying to recover, hoping that his help can get the job done.

- Finishing At The Rim: Despite showing a nice mid-range game that should translate to the NBA well, Fredette could have trouble finishing in the paint at the next level. While he might be crafty enough to finish over his man, he has struggled at times finishing over help defenders.

Fredette doesn't always have the athletic ability to finish with help coming, so he is forced into double-clutched, circus-style lay-up attempts. This puts the basketball on a tee for the help defense to block it, and if he does get it over the help, there is a small chance the ball actually goes in.

- Turnovers: Despite having strong offensive instincts and displaying an ability to make the correct pass more often than not, Fredette still tends to turn the basketball over a little too much. Fredette's Pace Adjusted Turnovers Per-40 minute average of 3.7 was 23rd highest in the NCAA last season and his Assist to Turnover ratio and Pure Point Rating were also very low (1.22 and -1.92 respectfully). A lot of these turnovers tend to be a direct result of how much he dominates the basketball and how much BYU's offense relied on him. When Fredette turns the basketball over, it is usually when he is trying to create on his own.



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NBA Draft Prospect of the Week: Jimmer Fredette

Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Feb 01, 2011, 10:29 pm
Jimmer Fredette is the No. 1 scorer in college basketball, and not by a small margin. That's undisputed, regardless of [url=http://www.draftexpress.com/stats.php?year=2010/11&league=NCAA&per=pergame&qual=prospects&sort2=DESC&pos=all&stage=all&min=20&conference=0&sort=6 the metric you're working with.

What is very much under dispute is how that success will translate to the NBA level, a dispute that has resulted in an infinite amount of articles, tweets, blog entries, TV segments and debates around the water cooler.



Fredette's skill level is incredibly high, as evidenced not only by his production, but also the way he gets baskets.

He creates a huge chunk of his offense (68% according to Synergy Sports Technology) on his own, be it in isolation situations, in transition or in pick-and-roll sets—in that order. He's an excellent ball handler who is capable of dribbling with either hand and is very adept at splitting screens. And he's as shifty as they come, given his ability to play at different speeds.

Fredette shows excellent quickness, outstanding footwork and incredible creativity with the ball in his hands. He creates space to operate about as well as any guard in college basketball not named Kemba Walker, and he is a more complete scorer than Walker in terms of his offensive polish.

His best asset is clearly his shooting ability, which borders on outrageous when it comes to the difficulty of shots he is capable of making.

Fredette's range extends well beyond the NBA 3-point line. Unlike most shooters, however, he's just as effective making off-the-dribble jumpers as he is with his feet set. He elevates high off the ground, squaring his shoulders instantaneously and balancing himself perfectly in mid-air. He's capable of pulling up on a dime from unbelievable distances with his lightning quick release.

He has supreme confidence in his shooting ability, taking jumpers that would be viewed as absolutely horrendous if attempted by anyone else. For him these are good looks, though, as evidenced by the rate he converts these off-balance, contested 25- to 30-foot attempts. He's shooting 44% from beyond the arc for the second straight season, even though he's arguably the most closely guarded player in college basketball right now.

Fredette shows little emotion throughout the game, except when occasionally working the officials or expressing mild disappointment in missing an impossible shot by clapping his hands together. He's never rattled, even in the most pressure-packed moments of an intense game, showing a cool and calm demeanor at all times. This bodes well for his transition to the next level.

Fredette is much more than just an outside shooter, though. He also gets to the free throw line at a nice rate (7.2 attempts per 40 minutes) and is generally effective scoring inside the arc at the college level. His pull-up jumper translates well to the mid-range area, and he has a very strong frame and outstanding touch, which he uses to finish around the basket, often utilizing the glass in impressive fashion.



Despite his ability to convert circus shots in the paint, there is some concern about how effective a finisher Fredette will be around the rim in the NBA because he's not a particularly explosive leaper. Teams with strong help-side defenses can throw him off somewhat with long and athletic big men inside the paint, which is something to keep an eye on for the future.

Another question mark about Fredette revolves around the role he'll play at the next level. He's able to operate with unlimited freedom as the end-all, be-all solution in BYU's offense, but he's not a particularly prolific passer. Amongst the 19 point guards currently in our Top 100 Prospect rankings, Fredette rates toward the bottom in both assist to turnover ratio and Pure Point Rating.

Fredette plays mostly off the ball in BYU's half-court offense and unselfishly shows the ability to get teammates involved. He has a high basketball IQ and displays terrific creativity. When he has the ball in his hands, he's first and foremost looking to score, though; something that has been the case throughout his college career. With more talented teammates alongside him in the NBA, Fredette will probably need to alter his game somewhat, something it seems he's capable of doing.

The biggest concern about Fredette's transition to the NBA clearly lies on the defensive end. He is a poor defender, even at the college level, showing average length, heavy feet and unimpressive lateral quickness. He rarely gets into an actual defensive stance, fails to get a hand up on shooters and shows little interest in trying to fight through screens. The same laid-back approach that makes him so difficult to get off-kilter offensively is a serious detriment to his work on the other end, potentially making him a liability in the NBA.

With all this in mind, one of the biggest factors in determining the type of success Fredette will have in the NBA is the team he ends up on. In a fast-paced offense predicated on getting shots early in the shot-clock and a coach willing to live with defensive lapses, Fredette will be an incredible weapon. Put him in the wrong system, though, with a team that likes to grind it out and a coach who demands perfection on every defensive possession and we could be looking at a disaster.

The good thing is that Fredette does not look like the type of player who will have a problem coming off the bench, especially in a winning situation. He has the perfect temperament for this type of role, in fact. He's a team player who is “hot” as soon as he steps on the floor. It's not difficult to see him coming in and changing the complexion of a game with his shooting range and his prowess in late-game situations and from the free throw line. He'd be a terrific option to have on your team in the clutch.



One of the reasons Fredette has become such a popular figure with fans and NBA scouts alike is the way he carries himself on the floor. Never one to pump his chest, despite the incredible manner in which he produces, he lets his play on the court speak for itself. Incredibly poised and humble, he's a true competitor who plays with a self-confidence that borders on cockiness.

Even if his physical attributes don't like ideal, and there are few successful players in the NBA in his mold, there is clearly something special about Fredette that sets him apart. We've learned not to bet against players like this in the past. As the ground-swirl of excitement grows, and with it his draft stock, so do the expectations about what type of career he'll need to have to be labeled a success.

How long will Fredette wait to hear his name called on NBA draft night? That's a question every person in America will likely have an opinion on, especially as we approach March, where he'll likely be a central figure.

NCAA Weekly Performers, 3/25/10

Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Matt Williams
Matt Williams
Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson
Joseph Treutlein
Joseph Treutlein
Mar 25, 2010, 12:24 pm
Matthew Williams

One of most pleasant surprises in college basketball this season, Jimmer Fredette was nothing short of spectacular all season long. Though he couldn’t save the Cougars against Kansas State last week, no one can question his ability to put his team on his back and carry them to victories. With his season coming to a close, Fredette now faces his impending draft decision.

A controversial prospect, Fredette has one of the most impressive offensive packages in college basketball, but may lack the athleticism needed to translate his skill-set seamlessly to the next level. Throughout the season, and especially during MWC play, Fredette was able to consistently and efficiently compensate for his lack of elite explosiveness and leaping ability with excellent body control, a great understanding of how to subtly change speeds and directions to lull his defender to sleep, and a crafty array of shots around the basket.

To a much greater extent than the average slow-footed, undersized scorer, Fredette is comfortable in his own skin. A quarter of his offense was comprised of one-on-one situations according to Synergy Sports Technology, and he finishes at a near-50% clip at the rim –a testament to his ability to overcome his weaknesses. Exceptionally good at not only finding creases to beat his own man, Fredette does a great job reading help side defenders and attacking his man in a way that shields him from weak-side roations. Whether he can make a comparable impact at the next level is something that teams will likely want to study in private workouts against more physically gifted guard prospects.

Posessing a strong frame and the ability to surprise defenders with his agility and balance when changing directions in the lane, Fredette’s athleticism isn’t as much of a concern on the offensive end as it is defensively. With no shortage of toughness or aggressiveness, Fredette plays a sound brand of defense, but his limited physical tools hurt him considerably and would likely make him a significant target to isolate against on the perimeter at the NBA level.

Appearing a step slow closing out, not possessing the size and length to bother shooters or be a factor in the passing lanes, and lacking any real lateral quickness, Fredette was able to get by in BYU’s zone and play effective man defense on occasion. However, with the NBA handcheck rules neutralizing whatever strength advantage he could potentially try and use over his matchups on the next level, he projects as a defensive liability at the next level, any way you slice it. Should he keep his name in this draft, his ability to defend is likely the facet of his game that team’s will attempt to evaluate most thoroughly in private settings.

Though there are aspects of his game that remain question marks from an NBA perspective, there are others that have talent-evaluators enamored with his game. Fredette has improved his jump shooting ability markedly since his freshman year, and now sits as one of the best shooters in our database. A tremendous catch and shoot threat who has also improved his ability to hit shots off the dribble, Fredette can certainly help a team on any level with his ability to stretch the floor. His efficiency from the line is a bonus as well, as he’s a valuable asset in late game situations.

Aside from his merits as a shooter, Fredette has improved his efficiency as a passer as well. Though his usage has risen markedly from last season, Fredette’s assist to turnover ratio has grown from 1.59 last season to 1.84 this season. Given his tremendous basketball IQ, it will be interesting to see how Fredette responds to a diminished role on the next level. He’s a solid passer, but his ability to set his teammates up and play low-mistake basketball will only help his cause as he carves out a niche for himself early in his career.

Considering what he’s accomplished this season and the struggles he will face in terms of improving upon his weaknesses, Fredette faces a difficult decision on whether to leave his name in the upcoming draft. It’s difficult to see how much better of a year he could have (even though he was diagnosed with mononucleosis midway through the season), and he’s unlikely to get significantly more athletic over the offseason. With a lot to gain from performing well in private workouts in a weak year for point guards—but very limited amount of time to actually test the waters due to new rules the NCAA implemented-- Fredette is a name to keep an eye on in the draft process.

NCAA Weekly Performers, 1/14/10

Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Jan 14, 2010, 01:24 am
Scott Nadler

You would be hard pressed to find a player putting up better numbers across the board than BYU guard Jimmer Fredette. He has been spectacular this season and is a major reason for the Cougars’ 16-1 start. Although he’s currently battling mononucleosis and has been sidelined 2 of the past 3 games, something we’re surely going to keep our eye on, Fredette is nonetheless one of the best under the radar players in the country and is more than deserving of a mention in this space.

A relative unknown in the college landscape, Fredette made an impression on us already last season, especially during his 23 point, 9 assist performance against then #6 Wake Forest. He’s elevated his level of play so far this year and no game was perhaps more indicative of that then his recent off the charts 49 point barrage against Arizona.

Sporting an extraordinary 31.8 PER in his first 15 games proves that he’s not just a fluke, but a do-it-all guy who is doing just that for a very good nationally ranked team. With stellar numbers and consistent play from the start, we figured this would be a perfect time to evaluate the upstate New York native.

Fredette possesses a strong upper body and at 6-2 and close to 200 lbs, his strength enables him to cover up some of his athletic shortcomings. He’s not exceptionally quick and lacks great explosiveness when attacking the basket, but due to his physique he’s able to shield and bump off pesky defenders which he does a good job of. He’s strong with the ball, but he can afford to improve his overall ball handling skills. He tends to dribble the ball a bit too high and isn’t all that fluid with his handle, something that would likely become more of an issue at the next level.

The one area which needs little improvement is in his ability to shoot the ball. He currently has a true shooting percentage of 64% and the degree of difficulty at which he takes some of his shots makes the high percentage all that more impressive. He can make shots in a variety of ways including spot ups, off the dribble, off screens, fading away, or by pulling up and his smoldering 44.6% from downtown is one of the best percentages in the country - showing on multiple occasions that his range extends well beyond the NBA 3 point line.

He does a good job of getting on balance before he shoots – often coming to a quick jump stop before showing his solid elevation. He makes it difficult on his defender to time his shot as well, transitioning very quickly from the dribble and into his shot.

From the free throw line, he’s automatic, shooting 92.7%, good for 3rd in the country. He also gets there at a good rate – attempting 6.4 free throws a game. Despite the lack of quickness, he finds ways to get into the lane thanks to his tremendous aggressiveness and smarts. Once at the rim, Fredette has good body control and can maneuver his way well in traffic and doesn’t shy away from contact.

As “the man” for the Cougars, Fredette has the ball in his hands for most of his team’s possessions (16.8 a game or 23.7% of his team’s possessions to be exact). With the ball in his hands that often, he has shown a propensity to try to do too much – driving into traffic or splitting screens unnecessarily are just a couple of examples. He averages 3 turnovers a game as a result, and most of turnovers could be avoided as he doesn’t make very difficult passes. Most of his 5.7 assists come from finding shooters spaced out along the perimeter either in the half court or in transition.

Defense is the area of Fredette’s game which needs the most work if he’s to play in the NBA. He’s a below average on the ball defender and lacks the lateral speed to keep up with quick guards. When watching him, it’s easy to see he’s giving a step to his opponent, almost baiting them to shoot and he still struggles to stop dribble penetration. Off the ball, he’s often out of his stance and appears to be resting. He’s a step slow on closeouts, but does make an effort to contest almost all jump shots when isolated on the perimeter.

Fredette isn’t a sure-fire NBA player at this point, but the gaudy numbers he’s putting up and the manner in which he’s producing is surely making scouts and NBA personnel aware of who he is. It’s tough not to like the outstanding skill-level and feel for the game Fredette displays, and the confidence and aggressiveness in which he plays with makes him a difficult guy to bet against.

Only a junior right now, he’d be wise to stick around for another season and try to maximize his athletic potential with a professional over the summer – something that would surely elevate his stock. If he can keep up this torrid pace and if his illness doesn’t affect him for too long, Fredette has the game to make a bigger impression on a national stage come tournament time.

College Road Report: BYU-Wake Forest

Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Jan 05, 2009, 12:40 am
The best player on the floor in certain stretches might have been BYU’s sophomore Jimmer Fredette, which isn’t quite as unexpected as you might think if you’ve watched them play a few times this season. The New York state native had career highs in both points and assists against possibly the best team he’s faced thus far, carrying the load early on to keep Wake Forest at bay after they jumped out to a very hot start.

Fredette is not a particularly athletic point guard, but he has a very high skill level and an almost comical ability to make circus-type shots. He has a real old-school game, complete with the pivot moves around the basket, the floaters in the paint, and the under-handed bank shots high off the glass.

He’s versatile in the sense that he can make shots from the perimeter at a very nice clip, but also create his own shot off the dribble or take his man down into the post. His ball-handling skills are excellent and he has great strength and outstanding touch around the hoop, which allows him to finish at a very high rate thanks to the very measured approach he takes to getting his shot off. From beyond the arc he shows a very deliberate, consistent stroke, getting excellent elevation but not showing a particularly fast release. Regardless, he’s hitting 41% of his attempts, which is about all you can ask for.

Despite being a sophomore, Fredette plays with a confidence that belies his age, showing absolutely no hesitation in anything he does, for better or for worse. He can make plays for others, but also turns the ball over at a pretty high rate, something he definitely needs to work on as he gains experience in the Mountain West conference. Still, you have to admire the toughness and poise he displays, and it’s not too much of a stretch to envision him developing into a terrific college player over the next two seasons for BYU. How they managed to get him out of the state of New York doesn’t say too much about the recruiting ability of other schools in that region, as there is no question he could be playing in the Big East right now.

Defensively, Fredette competes, but his lack of lateral quickness is extremely evident when going up against a point guard with above-average athleticism—such as Jeff Teague. Players blow by him with a fair amount of ease, although he is smart enough to get his hands in the passing lanes at a nice rate.

Probably a long shot at this point to stir up much draft interest, Fredette is regardless an excellent college player who will probably only get better over the next two years until he graduates. Don’t be surprised to see him making big shots in a big game sometime in the near future.

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