Jimmer Fredette picks his ideal 3X3 lineup of current NBA players feat. Jrue Holiday
Jimmer Fredette has been the face of Team USA’s men’s 3x3 basketball team in recent years. From being a high school and college star to a floundering NBA player and back to being a star in international basketball, Fredette found a discipline where he can ultimately make a big name for himself.
Playing 3x3 basketball since 2022, Fredette made use of his feisty ethos and scoring prowess to pick up the nuances of the half-court game and dominate leagues before carving himself a spot with Team USA.
Now, he will headline Team USA’s 3x3 squad for the Paris Olympics next month, joining unheralded players Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, and Canyon Barry, son of NBA legend Rick Barry.
Opening up on his journey as a 3x3 player, Fredette selected his ideal 3x3 lineup of current NBA players in "The Ryen Rusillo Podcast."
Freddete’s selection was composed of Boston Celtics’ Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George, and Phoenix Suns’ Paul George, an all-American team that, if USA Basketball wishes, could be fielded in the 3x3 basketball event of the Olympics.
He also revealed how he came up with those picks, and what could be the perfect archetypes to make up a 3x3 team.
“I’m definitely looking for guys that are bigger wings (and) can do everything,” Fredette said. “You’re looking for that length that can shoot, that can handle, and then play defense and defend the rim. If you can get four of those guys, you’re going to win most of your 3-on-3 games.”
Playing in the more fast-paced 3x3 game, Fredette, who turned 35 last February, has been the leader of the Team USA quartet in recent international tournaments. They notably won the silver medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the gold in the Pan American Games.
Before transitioning to a different basketball career, the 6-foot-2 Fredette played 241 games in the NBA, mostly with the Sacramento Kings, and the New York Knicks. After his NBA career fizzled out, he moved to the Chinese Basketball Association where he was known as a lethal scorer for his teams.
Jimmer Fredette praises Nikola Jokic’s potential in 3x3 after video of him playing with friends circulated online
Nikola Jokic has proven himself to be an all-time great player after winning an NBA championship in 2023 and three NBA MVPs.
But for Jimmer Fredette, Jokic’s game, which is predicated on finesse and basketball IQ, would also allow him to dominate the 3x3 circuit if he decides to play it.
“Jokic would be amazing,” said Fredette.
Fredette then recalled a video of the Denver Nuggets star playing 3x3 basketball with locals in his hometown in Serbia.
“We saw Jokic play 3x3 with some of his friends, and they’re saying to put some work in because he was kind of shooting one-handed runner from everywhere so he plays it,,” Fredette said.
Here is the video he was referring to:
In the end, Fredette agreed when host Ryan Russillo declared that Jokic should be the first pick in any form of basketball.
“Yeah, 100%.”