Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OREM — Jimmer Fredette’s 3-point shot became an iconic image of BYU men’s basketball during his four-year career in Provo.
Now the native of upstate New York is bringing it back to the Wasatch Front.
Fredette poured in 84-of-100 3-pointers Friday at Orem High School to raise money for the All-Together Shootout in Orem, in conjunction with the Fredette Family Foundation and the Sunshine Heroes Foundation.
The pledge drive ended at just under $300 pledged per 3-pointer, including a $100-per-three pledge from Zions Bank and $57 each from the Rotary Club. The latest update at alltogethershootout.com puts the final pledge at $293.68 per triple.
“When he heard about this cause … there was a connection made. He loved the idea and decided to show us," playground coordinator Steven Downs said. "It’ll be $300, plus any money pledged (at the gym) at the last minute. We hope to raise about a $500,000, and hope that about $25,000 of it can come from this event.”
The total makes an estimated $24,669 that will be shared between the All-Together Playground and the Fredette Family Foundation that supports Utah County schools in promoting inclusion and kindness through anti-bullying efforts and other initiatives.
“It’s really great, because all of the money we raise will stay in Utah County and help schools in the area promote kindness and inclusion,” Fredette’s wife and former BYU cheerleader Whitney said in a YouTube video announcing the event.
The foundation will also raise money via a dunk contest, with local children invited to be a part of the shootout with Fredette and his family.
Mindy Gleason originally approached the city about the idea.
Her daughter, Presley, has spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress.
“That’s why she uses a chair to drive and a breathing machine to breathe, an eating machine to eat,” the mother said. “She always wanted to go to the park, but it was super hard and not very safe for her to be able to play on the equipment.”
Gleason said she was pleased by the efforts Orem city was making toward the playground, including the charity event.
“We can’t even believe it’s gotten as big as it has, and we’re so grateful,” Gleason said.
After being drafted No. 10 overall by the Sacramento Kings via Milwaukee in 2011, Fredette spent five years in the NBA with the Kings, Chicago and New Orleans. He went to the NBA D-League in 2015 with the Westchester Knicks, and signed a 10-day contract with New York in February, but was sent back to the D-League after playing in just one game with the franchise.
Fredette was an All-D-League second team selection in 2016 and the most valuable player of the all-star game.
