PARIS — Jimmer Fredette was the first name introduced for the United States men’s basketball 3×3 team ahead of its matchup Thursday against Lithuania.
When he exited the tunnel, the former BYU star could hardly walk. He moved with a significant limp to his left leg while walking to the free throw line and started on the bench. Fredette coached from his seat past the halfcourt, out-of-bounds line.
Fredette limped through the media mixed zone after the USA’s 20-18 loss to Lithuania, their third consecutive of the tournament, and said he is game-to-game with a lower-left leg injury.
The Americans have one more game Thursday – at 11:05 p.m. ET against Latvia.
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Fredette’s three teammates found out he’d be unavailable against Lithuania during a team meeting in the afternoon after he received results of medical tests, Dylan Travis said.
“We all shed some tears. It’s emotional,’ Travis said. ‘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, 35, apparently suffered the injury Wednesday against Poland, a 19-17 loss for the Americans. Fredette had three points but missed all four of his attempts from two-point range., 35, The night prior, during his 2024 Paris Olympic debut against Serbia, Fredette had four points.
“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,’ said Canyon Barry, who led the U.S. with eight points and nearly tied the game at the buzzer with a two-pointer that came up just short. ‘So saying prayers for him. He’s such a good human being.
‘For him not being able to compete in the game today after everything that he’s put into it is really sad. But he’s so supportive on the bench, helping coach us. He’s still a part of the team. He’s still going to be instrumental in our team’s success.”
Indeed, Fredette stayed active throughout the 10-minute game from his courtside perch. He called plays, helped the Americans keep track of the 12-second shot clock and shouted out screens. On-court coaches are not permitted on 3×3, so the U.S. did its best to turn the disadvantage of not having Fredette into the game into an opportunity.
“It’s hard,’ Barry said of Fredette taking on an unfamiliar role. ‘I think he sees the game from a different perspective, when you’re not super tired and fatigued in the heart of it.’
Without Fredette, who has the ball in his hands 80% of the time for the U.S., Travis estimated, the team that is already looking like a quick exit once the knockout round starts now has a severe dropoff in dribbling poise and shot-making ability.
And Fredette’s teammates are hopeful the training staff can work on Fredette enough that he can return at some point in the tournament.
“We got to keep playin,’ Barry said. ‘He’s such a good shooter that we’re going to have to find other ways to score. Haven’t made shots this tournament, and I think that’s been our Achilles heel so far.”
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