Jimmer Fredette has been named the first USA Basketball 3x3 men’s national team managing director after announcing his retirement from competition last week.
He will be responsible for identifying players and coaches for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, like Grant Hill has done for the men’s 5x5 team.
Fredette, 36, played on the first U.S. men’s Olympic 3x3 team at the Paris Games but sustained a tournament-ending injury in the first game. The U.S. didn’t advance out of group play without him.
New Role, New Heights 📈🇺🇸 @jimmerfredette steps in as the managing director of the 🇺🇸 #3x3MNT! pic.twitter.com/d94WsSMNRB
— USA Basketball 3x3 (@usab3x3) April 28, 2025
“When I got the call from USA Basketball about playing 3x3, I really didn’t know what to expect,” Fredette said, according to a press release Monday. “I found out quickly that I loved the competition, energy and style of the sport. 3x3 fits my game and my personality. I made friends throughout my journey who will forever be a part of my life. I also saw an opportunity to be able to grow the sport within the USA.
“When USA Basketball approached me about this role, I jumped at it. I’m determined to help build a sustainable program for years to come and, ultimately, the best 3x3 program in the world.”
Fredette, the 2011 NCAA Player of the Year with BYU, was the 10th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and spent parts of six seasons in the league through 2019.
He then played in Greece and China before deciding in 2021 to stay in the U.S. to spend more time with his wife and children.
He turned to 3x3 in 2022, was part of a U.S. team that took silver at the 2023 World Cup and went into the Paris Games as the No. 1-ranked player in the world.
No active NBA players took part in the first Olympic 3x3 tournaments in Tokyo and Paris. Olympic eligibility rules stipulated that players had to have international 3x3 experience. The rules for the 2028 Los Angeles Games have not been published yet.
In the Paris Olympic cycle, Jay Demings served as 3x3 director for both the men’s and women’s national teams. Demings is still in that role.
