Jimmer Fredette reacts to 3x3 basketball loss vs. Serbia at Olympics

On Tuesday, the USA Basketball 3×3 Men’s National Team fell 22-14 to Serbia in the 2024 Paris Olympics pool play. After the game, Jimmer Fredette revealed what went wrong for the United States and how they will recoup ahead of their matchup against Poland tomorrow.

“They shot the ball great tonight,” Fredette said of Serbia. “Obviously, they’re big. A lot of times when teams are shooting ones (inside the arc), that’s what kind of what we want. But, they got a lot of easy ones tonight and were making all of them, and we didn’t hit our two-ball (beyond the arc) super well.

“That’s a really good team, obviously. We know that they’re the best team in the world right now. We’ve had some battles against them in the past and they came out to play. But, it’s a long tournament for us, so we’re excited to get back on it tomorrow.”

Fredette scored four points in the loss. As the former BYU standout mentioned, he and his teammates are no strangers to Serbia. The two talented squads met in the FIBA World Cup final in 2023, with Serbia emerging victorious in a 21-19 battle.

Jimmer Fredette is still learning about the game

Fredette didn’t begin playing 3×3 basketball professionally until 2022. He made his debut at the 2022 Red Bull USA Basketball 3X East Regional and boosted team NYC Blue to win the event. Later that year, Fredette was named to the USA Men’s 2022 3×3 AmeriCup team.

Since then, Fredette has been a significant proponent of the sport. He hopes others will grow interested as well during the Olympics, even if there is a learning curve.

“It’s definitely different,” Fredette said. “Obviously, the pace is a lot faster, more physical, rules are just a little bit different. That 12-second shot clock is quick and there’s no help side defense in 3×3, so you got to stick to your man a little bit different than what they teach you in five-on-five.

“Just a lot of things that took me about six months to probably get fully acclimated to and get used to. But tonight, obviously, we just didn’t play super well and sometimes that happens in these tournaments. They’re quick games. That’s what happens but you just keep moving and one game doesn’t lose the tournament.”

Fredette has never been one to allow loss to deter him. After an unsuccessful stint in the NBA, Fredette signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he dominated and earned MVP honors.

Fredette continued to collect accomplishments overseas before returning home to play for the USA Basketball 3×3 Men’s National Team. Now, Fredette hopes to help lead the team to a gold medal during its first appearance in the event. Fredette and Co. will square off against Poland at 4:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday.